New Oklahoma schools chief rescinds Bible mandate | JQJO

Oklahoma's new schools superintendent, Lindel Fields, reversed a directive that required Bibles in classrooms and lessons for grades 5-12, a policy issued by former superintendent Ryan Walters. Fields said he won't distribute Bibles or a biblical curriculum and will leave such choices to districts, citing better uses for taxpayer funds. State education officials plan to notify the Oklahoma Supreme Court and seek to dismiss a related lawsuit. Attorneys for the plaintiffs said they were encouraged and will discuss next steps. The agency will review Walters' mandates, including an ideology exam for teacher applicants from California and New York.