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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
SENATE BILL 867 By: Bullard
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to school curriculum; amendi ng 70
O.S. 2021, Section 11 -103.6b, which relates to social
studies curriculum and textbooks ; requiring the
United States history component to incl ude certain
information about the original intent of the founding
fathers; requiring teachers to use certain primary
sources and specific quotes; dire cting inclusion of
certain primary sources; providi ng an effective date;
and declaring an emergency .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11 -103.6b,
is amended to read as follows:
Section 11-103.6b. A. The State Board of Education shall adopt
a social studies core curriculum with courses of instruction for all
students enrolled in the public schools that reflect t he racial,
ethnic, religious, and cultural d iversity of the United States of
America. The United States history and Oklahoma history components
required in the social studies curriculum for all students shall
include, but not be limited to, African Americ ans, Native Americans,
and Hispanic American s. The United States history component
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required in the social studies curriculum for all students shall
include information:
1. Information about Juneteenth commemorating emancipation of
enslaved African Americans ; and
2. Information regarding the origi nal intent of the founding
fathers while constructing the United States Constitution. Teachers
of United States history shall include primary sources from the
founding era and throughout America ’s history and specific quotes
from the founding fathers about America’s Christian heritage
including the influence of the Ten Commandments and the Bible on
America’s founding documents if pres ented objectively as part of a
secular program of education. Primary sources shall inc lude but not
be limited to John Adams, Joseph Story, George Washington, Benjamin
Rush, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Jay, James Otis, and Noah
Webster.
B. The State Textbook Committee, wh en adopting textbooks, shall
incorporate the provisions of subsection A of this section into the
criteria used to evaluate United States history and Okl ahoma history
textbooks. Any United States history or Oklahoma his tory textbook
on the state adopted te xtbook list shall conform to the purposes of
this section. The State Textbook Committee shall ensure that all
social studies textbooks and supplementar y materials selected to be
purchased with state funds for use in Ok lahoma classrooms reflect
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the racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity of the United
States.
C. It is the intent of the Legislat ure that a portion of the
state funds appropriated for professional development in local
school districts be used for workshops, seminars, guest lecturers,
and other methods which further the purposes of this section.
D. As used in this section, “curriculum” means the subject
matter standards adopted by t he State Board of Education pursuant to
Section 11-103.6 of this title. School districts shall exclusiv ely
determine instruction, specific course curricula, reading lists and
instructional materials pursu ant to subsection F of Section 11 -
103.6a of this title.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective Ju ly 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health , or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason where of this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after i ts passage and approval.
59-1-29 EB 1/19/2023 10:02:44 AM