Oklahoma Senate Bill SB803

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21

Caption

Schools; prohibiting public school districts and charter schools from teaching certain divisive concepts. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

If enacted, SB803 would significantly impact educational policies by mandating that public school districts and charter schools refrain from teaching the identified divisive concepts. Teachers who fail to comply with this directive can face dismissal or non-reemployment, thus potentially altering the teaching landscape and curriculum within the state. In certain circumstances, schools may still discuss these concepts in an objective manner, as part of a broader academic template without endorsing them.

Summary

Senate Bill 803 (SB803) focuses on public and charter school education in Oklahoma. It introduces a prohibition against teaching or training students to believe any 'divisive concepts.' These concepts are specified in the bill and include ideas about the inherent superiority of one race or sex over another, the notion that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist, and that individuals should feel discomfort or guilt due to their race or sex. The intent of the bill is to regulate the content of school curricula and protect students from exposure to specific ideological teachings that are viewed as divisive.

Contention

Debate surrounding SB803 has been marked by division among lawmakers and stakeholders in education. Proponents argue that the bill aims to foster a positive and unified learning environment while opposing views highlight concerns about censorship and the implications for free speech in education. Detractors assert that the bill could hinder comprehensive education by restricting discussions surrounding racism, sexism, and historical events related to these topics, potentially leading to a sanitized view of history and social issues.