On July 30, Oklahoma’s Department of Education rolled out new rules to enforce a law passed in 2021: House Bill 1775.
This law bans schools from forcing students or staff to go through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training that teaches people to feel guilty or ashamed because of their race or gender.
What the New Rules Do
Under the new rules, schools must remove any training or lessons that promote race-based or gender-based guilt.
That means no more mandatory DEI sessions. Instead, the focus will be on core subjects like math, reading, and history – without the political spin.
Schools are now required to review all their materials and submit compliance reports. If they don’t follow the law, they could lose funding.
A Win for Traditional Values
The idea is simple: teach students how to think, not what to think.
DEI programs often sort kids into “oppressor” and “oppressed” groups based on things they can’t control, like their skin color or gender. Many parents feel that’s unfair and harmful.
Instead, they want schools to treat every student as an individual, not a label.
Groups like Moms for Liberty and Oklahoma Parents for Educational Freedom have praised the move. They say it gives parents more control over what their children learn and keeps classrooms focused on academics.
Others See It Differently
Not everyone is happy about the new rules. Some teachers’ unions and progressive groups in cities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City say it’s “educational censorship.”
They argue it could prevent honest conversations about race and history – but supporters say that’s not true.
Oklahoma’s move follows a trend in other red states like Florida and Texas, where similar laws have been passed to roll back DEI programs in schools and colleges.
The Core Issue
For years, many families have felt shut out while schools pushed controversial ideas without their input.
Now, states like Oklahoma are saying enough is enough. They’re putting parents back in the driver’s seat and asking schools to stick to the basics.
There’s also concern about falling test scores. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), just 27% of Oklahoma’s 8th graders were proficient in reading. Supporters of the crackdown say it’s time to focus on education, not activism.
The Next Chapter
Schools now have to review their lesson plans and make sure they follow the law. Districts that don’t could face budget cuts.
That’s already sparking tension in places like Oklahoma City, where progressive school boards are resisting the changes – but for many families, this is a welcome shift.
In short, Oklahoma’s move is seen by conservatives as a stand for common sense; for parents who’ve felt unheard for too long, it’s a breath of fresh air.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
