The hallways of the Oklahoma state capitol building were packed with families today voicing their support of the freedom to homeschool their children without governmental interference. Organized by Homeschool Oklahoma, the state advocacy organization, hundreds of homeschooling families from across the state filled the capitol rotunda to express their appreciation for the rights of homeschoolers in Oklahoma as well as express concerns that some people may be looking to limit those freedoms.
Today, Governor Kevin Stitt delivered his State of the State address to Oklahoma’s 59th Legislature. Governor Stitt outlined his priorities for the 2024 regular legislative session, focusing on making Oklahoma the most business friendly state in the nation, limiting the growth of government by cutting taxes, expanding education freedom, and reinforcing public safety. The text was provided by the Governor’s Office and edited for space considerations.
My fellow Oklahomans. First off, I want to give thanks to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to serve in this position and for all the blessings we have in this great state. It’s my honor and privilege to stand before you today to give my sixth state of the state address. I’m sure some of you are excited about that because it means you only have to listen to me two more times.
The Oklahoma State Board of Education continues its work to remove age-inappropriate pornographic materials from Oklahoma’s public schools. At its January 25, 2024, meeting Superintendent Ryan Walters officially informed the board that he has appointed nationally renowned Chaya Raichik (handle: Libs of TikTok) to the state Library Media Advisory Committee. In a brief video presentation Chaya assured viewers that the porn will be removed and “we will take back our schools”.
Superintendent Ryan opined that it would be better for schools to act on their own now to remove such materials from their libraries. He said that if the state finds the materials “there will be accountability.”
Well before the meeting began Protestors armed with signs gathered outside. Protests continued during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. In part protestors were blaming Chaya for the August 2023 bomb threats to Tulsa area schools that were later deemed “not credible” by the Tulsa Police Department and the FBI.
Oklahoma, like most states, has a compulsory education law. If you don’t homeschool or send your child to a private school, you are required to enroll your child in a public school. Failure to do so means you can face fines and up to 15 days imprisonment on a third offense.
But if parents enroll their child in the “wrong” public school, they can face up to one year in jail.
Put simply, the potential consequences for neglecting a child’s education are far less severe than the consequences for trying to get your child in a safer public school with a better academic atmosphere.
Fortunately, one lawmaker wants to put an end to that mixed message.
Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, filed legislation to ensure public and charter school libraries are free from inappropriate materials. Senate Bill 1208 would require each public school district and charter school to submit an inventory of their library materials to the State Department of Education each year.
In a statement today, Hamilton said, “Children are too often exposed to material that is explicit and not age appropriate, and the last place that should be occurring is in our state’s schools.
“This legislation would put safeguards in place to not only ensure that students are protected from reading or viewing inappropriate content, but that the school districts are held accountable for the availability of such materials,” Hamilton added.
