Oklahoma State Supt. Ryan Walters' social studies standards targeted in new lawsuit

A group of 33 Oklahomans, including teachers, parents, and clergy, has filed a new lawsuit urging the Oklahoma Supreme Court to stop the implementation of new K–12 social studies standards set to take effect in the 2025–26 school year.

The lawsuit, Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall v. Ryan Walters, names State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education as defendants. Plaintiffs argue that the standards violate the Oklahoma Constitution and were approved through a process that circumvented transparency laws.

What the lawsuit claims

According to the complaint, the new standards promote Christianity in public school classrooms — an alleged violation of the state constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom. The plaintiffs also claim that the Oklahoma State Board of Education violated the Open Meeting Act by voting on a version of the standards that differed from the one publicly released.

The standards include content referencing the 2020 presidential election and religious topics. Critics argue the material presents religious texts, like the Bible, as historical documents rather than theological works.

Related Story: Superintendent Walters promises 'patriotic education,' defends Bible plan and lawsuit

Who is behind the lawsuit?

The lead plaintiff is the Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall of Norman, an ordained Baptist minister and CEO of Good Faith Media. In a statement, Randall criticized the standards both as a Christian and a citizen.

“As a Christian, I object to Oklahoma’s new social studies standards that require teachers to deceive students by presenting inaccurate information as fact,” Randall said. “To reduce the Bible to a history book – rather than treating it as a theological text – does a disservice to public school students, their families, their teachers and those who consider the Bible to be a book of faith.”

State officials push back

Superintendent Walters responded to the lawsuit, calling the legal challenge “despicable” and timed to coincide with Independence Day.

“It is despicable, yet predictable, that those behind this lawsuit would use Independence Day week to attack our Academy Standards,” Walters said. “The Left continues their attempts to destroy Christianity, our history, and America herself.”

He defended the standards as fact-based and patriotic, calling them part of an “America First education.”

“Our students will know Americans never have, and never will, bow to their tyrannical hatred of liberty and American values,” Walters said.

Legal context and what’s next

This is not the first legal challenge to the new standards. A similar lawsuit was dismissed two weeks ago. Plaintiffs in the current case are seeking an injunction to stop the standards from going into effect at the start of the next school year.

Related Story: Judge tosses lawsuit challenging Oklahoma’s new social studies standards

Details of the lawsuit and Walters' response can be read below:

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