Oklahoma House Democrats are voicing strong opposition to the announced overhaul of the state’s social studies standards, spearheaded by the State Superintendent. Representative John Waldron, a former educator and Democrat from Tulsa, has emerged as a key critic, denouncing the changes as a politically motivated attack on public education. The proposed new standards include introducing the Bible as an instructional text and implementing a classical learning model, moves that Democrats argue violate constitutional rights and promote a biased view of American history.
Waldron, a vocal opponent of the changes, characterized the overhaul as a “dangerous politicization” of Oklahoma’s academic framework. He specifically criticized the planned curriculum development by a panel of out-of-state experts, labeling it a “carpetbagger curriculum.” Waldron emphasized the insult to Oklahoma’s dedicated educators, who have historically been responsible for developing and refining the state’s social studies standards. In his statement, Waldron asserted, “The latest atrocity from OSDE is an affront to the Oklahoma educators who have always developed and refined our social studies standards. This ‘carpetbagger curriculum’ would be made up from whole cloth by a panel of out-of-state so-called experts, and would represent a dangerous politicization of our academic process. Simply put, this is un-American and un-Oklahoman.”
Echoing Waldron’s concerns, House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson of Oklahoma City condemned the State Superintendent’s actions as prioritizing an “extremist political agenda.” Munson raised alarms about the composition of the Executive Review Committee, which she described as filled with “extremist Republicans” intent on eroding religious freedom and comprehensive public education in Oklahoma. She positioned this overhaul as “a continued attack on Oklahomans and another attempt at erasing the valuable programs that are actively benefiting Oklahoma’s students and the future of our state.” Munson also highlighted the critical issue of teacher attrition in Oklahoma, suggesting that these controversial changes would only worsen the exodus of educators from public schools, both in urban and rural areas.
Adding to the chorus of Democratic disapproval, Representative Jacob Rosecrants of Norman, also a former educator, argued that the standards overhaul completely misses the real needs of Oklahoma’s children and parents. Rosecrants accused the State Superintendent of being self-serving and more focused on gaining attention from far-right media outlets than on the welfare of Oklahoma students. He pointed to the involvement of “out-of-state extremists behind Project 2025” in the standards revision as further evidence of the Superintendent’s misplaced priorities. Rosecrants directly refuted the Superintendent’s claims, stating, “The State Superintendent says Oklahomans want to erase the line between church and state, but that is simply not true. Oklahomans are disgusted by his blatant disregard of the Constitution.”
The unified Democratic front, spearheaded by figures like John Waldron, underscores the escalating political battle over the direction of education in Oklahoma. Their strong statements reflect deep concerns about religious freedom, the role of external influences in shaping state curricula, and the broader implications for the quality and inclusivity of public education in the state. The controversy surrounding the social studies standards overhaul is expected to continue as these proposed changes move forward.
