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Oklahoma Schools Chief Ends Bible Mandate, Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit

The move follows a state supreme court order requiring a decision by Oct. 28 on his predecessor’s directive.

Overview

  • State Superintendent Lindel Fields said he will not distribute Bibles or pursue a biblical character-education curriculum in public schools.
  • OSDE attorneys plan to notify the Oklahoma Supreme Court and file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by parents, teachers and faith leaders.
  • The court set an Oct. 28 deadline for Fields to report his intentions after turnover among officials named in the case.
  • Fields’ team is reviewing Walters-era mandates, including contested social studies standards that courts have paused, with officials weighing options to give districts clear guidance.
  • Walters had purchased more than 500 Bibles and sought broader funding and donations, while many districts declined to comply, and he criticized the reversal on X.