Oklahoma Senate Bill SB935

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Schools; creating the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (Stop W.O.K.E.) Act. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

Should this bill become law, it would substantially alter the educational curricula across public schools in Oklahoma by restricting topics considered controversial or divisive under its definitions, effectively limiting discussions around race, gender, and history. The Act authorizes civil action from individuals, including parents and taxpayers, against schools that do not comply with its provisions. This could lead to a more homogenized educational environment, where certain viewpoints may not be represented, raising concerns about academic freedom and the diversity of thought in education. Additionally, the Act seems to imply greater legal scrutiny over school materials and teachings that touch upon race relations.

Summary

Senate Bill 935, known as the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (Stop W.O.K.E.) Act, seeks to prohibit the teaching of certain concepts in public schools related to critical race theory. It aims to formalize a framework that prevents the inclusion of materials that the state deems to endorse or promote such theories, asserting they violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and related Oklahoma law. The bill provides definitions for critical race theory and outlines specific concepts that cannot be instructed or endorsed within educational settings, such as claims of inherent superiority of races or genders, and the moral or ethical judgment of individuals based on their race or gender.

Contention

Opposition to the Stop W.O.K.E. Act is likely to center on concerns regarding the suppression of critical discussions about race and history in education. Critics argue that this legislation could foster an environment of censorship, where educators might feel pressured to avoid discussing important historical and contemporary issues surrounding race and inequality. Proponents argue it is necessary to prevent practices they see as politically motivated indoctrination. The Act's reliance on concepts such as emotional appeals and claims regarding the religion of secular humanism being linked to critical race theory are contentious, as they suggest a broader ideological battle concerning the role of education in addressing societal issues.