Oklahoma Senate Bill SB20

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Schools; prohibiting teachers of certain courses from being compelled to discuss certain issues. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

SB20 impacts state education laws by establishing clear restrictions on how public schools can address controversial issues in their curricula. Public schools are specifically prohibited from requiring or awarding credit for student participation in lobbying activities. Moreover, the bill prevents the acceptance of private funding for curriculum development related to the aforementioned subjects, which potentially limits outside influences on educational content. This creates a framework where the acceptance of external funding could be seen as a conflict of interest in educational material sourcing.

Summary

Senate Bill 20 (SB20) aims to regulate discussions within certain subjects in public schools, specifically history, civics, U.S. government, and social studies. The bill prohibits teachers from being compelled to discuss current events or widely debated issues of public policy or social affairs as part of their course responsibilities. If teachers choose to engage in these discussions, they must approach the topics from diverse perspectives, ensuring that they provide a range of viewpoints rather than a singular narrative. This directive appears to address concerns regarding perceived biases in educational content and aims to promote a more balanced discussion in classrooms.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding SB20 involve concerns over academic freedom and the autonomy of educators. Critics argue that the bill might stifle teachers' ability to engage students in critical thinking regarding current events and controversies. By mandating how discussions are framed, the bill could inadvertently encourage an environment of fear and conformity among educators who may be concerned about compliance with the law. Supporters, however, assert that it is necessary to prevent indoctrination in the classroom and assure that a variety of viewpoints are presented in educational discussions.