'I don't want my kids hearing that': Oklahoma parents look to opt out of new social studies content

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Frustrated with religious content and polarizing language added to Oklahoma academic standards, some parents say they plan to opt their children out of “ideologically charged” social studies lessons in public schools.

Families and liberal advocates across the state, relying on parental rights laws that Republicans championed, are drafting letters to exempt their children from new social studies content that conservative leaders enacted this year.

“Now that it’s being codified and now that it’s being brought more into the public eye, the liberals have realized that those are our rights too,” Tulsa parent Lauren Parker said.

The “biggest glaring red flag” in the new social studies standards, Parker said, is language that casts doubt on the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. President Donald Trump has refused to concede defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 race, despite courts across the country dismissing Trump’s lawsuits claiming election fraud.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/don-t-want-kids-hearing-103016805.html

[Attilatheblond]

1. One hopes this might bring some good people, who support the Constitution, out to run for school boards

[Wiz Imp]

11. While it's a good idea overall, I'm not sure how much good that will do in Oklahoma

The ridiculous requirements in Oklahoma are all edicts from the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Apparently he can set instruction requirements for every public school in the state and there is absolutely nothing a local school board can do to change them.

[JHB]

15. Although it might drive voter turnout next time the office comes up for statewide election...

...or even if it doesn't affect overall turnout, it at least makes people pay more attention to who's in this particular office when they cast their vote.

[Attilatheblond]

17. Having attended a lot of school board meetings in early 70s & watching them taken over by RW nutters

I really believe a lot of today's issues started there. Watched as RW firebrands on boards moved up to local, then state politics.

Yes, I know where these crazy, unconstitutional laws are born, passed and excuited. I also know the soil in which those politicians sprouted.

[MagickMuffin]

2. Who knew parental rights extended to liberals?

Go to town liberals, use your new found freedoms to opt out of oppressive and misinformation, especially over the 2020 election.

[UpInArms]

3. Oklahoma sucks

Am so sorry for anyone with a brain still living in the State of Denial

[chouchou]

4. According to the new state rankings, Oklahoma ain't OK.

They're 43rd among US states. Yuck!

[Wiz Imp]

9. From everything I can find, they are ranked even worse - at #49 or #50

https://oef.org/2024/06/12/oklahoma-education-ranking-2024/

https://oklahomawatch.org/2024/08/15/is-oklahoma-ranked-among-the-worst-states-for-education/

https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335

[chouchou]

18. I'm not surprised. Perhaps US News felt sorry for them.

Of course, there's the other frontrunners like Arkansas, Mississippi...

[Sucha NastyWoman]

6. I'd feel sorry for them too

If I didn’t live in Texas.

At least Texas is a lot prettier than Oklahoma, but they are both run by religious zealots that don’t mind screwing and dumbing down their populace.

[ananda]

5. "the liberals have realized these are our rights too" ???

What does that even mean?

!@#$%

[Sucha NastyWoman]

7. See post #2

[ananda]

14. That doesn't anwer. I was referring to the word "liberals"...

Was that parent liberal or Magat?

[Silver Gaia]

20. Well, that was "Tulsa parent Lauren Parker" speaking.

Later in the article, it says, "Parker said she contacted her home district, Tulsa Public Schools, to opt her children out of being taught about 'election fraud that never happened.'” So, I figure she's a liberal. She just worded that oddly.

[barbtries]

8. another reason to be glad my kids are grown.

child care is another.

republicans were an issue when they were young but nothing like this.

[Demovictory9]

10. Turning schools into churches and indoctrination centers

[Denvermosaic]

13. American madrasas

[AllaN01Bear]

12. turn the tables on them

[Martin68]

16. The real irony here is that their kids are exposed to really dangerous or false content on the internet every day.

But these parents just can't handle their kids learning the truth.

[flying_wahini]

19. I guess there are gonna be a LOT MORE stupid people in Okla.

Sorry for them all.

[Jacson6]

21. One thing I have noticed is that if the parent is conservative then the kids go liberal.

It really has to do with the teenage rebellion. The same can go for liberal parents having there kids go hard right wing.

My parents were staunch liberals and I loved Reagan and republicans as a teenager.

I think this has to do with evolution.

I'm a liberal now after having life experiences that showed me conservatives just hate people for a tax break.