Debate over social studies standards: Lawmakers weigh revisions and approval

State lawmakers are set to approve, revise or deny new social studies standards that have been approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. 

Republican leadership in both the House and Senate told reporters last week that they would be discussing the standards, and making a final decision on them by the end of this week.

RELATED: Oklahoma State Department of Education Social Studies standards: House & Senate Dems weigh in

“We will have several caucus meetings talking about multiple issues that are going on that we kind of need to start figuring out, social studies standards is definitely one of those,” said Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton. 

The House Speaker invited State Superintendent Ryan Walters to speak with his members Monday morning.

“Before making a decision, I think it's appropriate for the state superintendent to have a chance to make his pitch to our caucus,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert.

The social studies standards are revised every five years and go through a multi-step process. A team of educators, representatives of higher education, tribal representatives, and community members review the standards, discuss changes, and ultimately develop new recommendations.

From there, the standards will go before a public comment period and must be approved by the State Board of Education, and ultimately the legislature, before they will be implemented. 

The proposal is 86 pages, but contains a few key points:

1. Integration of Practice and Content Standards: The committee has combined the practice (skills) and content (subject matter) standards to provide a clearer, more cohesive approach for teachers.
2. Strengthened Tribal Sovereignty: There is a greater focus on tribal sovereignty throughout the standards, with an effort to introduce it at every grade level to help students better understand tribal governance.
3. Civics Education: Civics is now integrated into each grade level instead of being taught as a standalone course, and students are required to take a civics test in their senior year.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has said the proposed standards are intended to promote American exceptionalism and to teach Oklahoma public school students “the full and true context of our nation’s founding and the principles that made America great.”