Largest Oklahoma school districts to opt out of lesson plans with conservative advocacy group
No one wanted to go on camera but KOCO 5 got several statements.
No one wanted to go on camera but KOCO 5 got several statements.
No one wanted to go on camera but KOCO 5 got several statements.
A day after the state Department of Education announced a partnership with a conservative advocacy group, Oklahoma's largest school districts said they're opting out of optional lesson plans.
On Tuesday, state Superintendent Ryan Walters argued videos and materials from PragerU Kids offer educators more options. No one wanted to go on camera, but KOCO 5 got several statements.
The strongest was from the largest district, Oklahoma City, saying the new partnership between Walters and PragerU doesn't change anything for their schools.
| MORE | Oklahoma Department of Education partners with controversial advocacy group
"We’re highlighting them. We want all schools to know it’s available. It’s going to be a free resource to schools. So this is going to be part of a long relationship with PragerU to make sure not only are the videos available inside the school setting, the curriculum along with the videos, but also available for parents," Walters said.
So far, several of the metro's largest districts are telling KOCO 5 they will not be opting into the offerings from PragerU Kids. PragerU claimed to offer free alternatives to "dominant left-wing ideology in culture, media and education."
Oklahoma City Public Schools told KOCO 5 that Walter's endorsement of PragerU doesn't change anything they are doing in the classroom. They went on to say that they believe their teachers are the experts and that they will use the curriculum provided by the district and appropriate supplemental materials.
OKCPS released a statement saying, "The endorsement of PragerU by our State Superintendent doesn’t change anything we are doing in the classroom. We trust our teachers to do everything they can to help our students grow… We also trust that they will use both curriculum resources provided to them by our district and any other appropriate supplemental materials needed to support student growth."
Edmond Public Schools said their curriculum for the current school year is already set and that no resources from PragerU are included. If anything is added by a teacher, it must be reviewed and aligned with the district curriculum.
EPS said, "Pacing guides, district curriculum and teacher resources for the 23-24 school year are already in place and available for our teachers. No resources from PragerU are included in these resources. If a teacher uses additional supplemental materials, they must review materials before they’re presented in the classroom, and the materials must be aligned with the district curriculum."
| MORE | Oklahoma State Department of Education announces partnership with PragerU Kids
Moore said they're also sticking with the curriculum they have in place and that it aligns with state standards approved by state lawmakers.
In a statement, Moore Public Schools said, "Moore Public Schools will continue to use its current curriculum that is aligned with state standards approved by the Oklahoma State Legislature."
Whether or not districts decide to add PragerU content to their lesson plans, Walters argued it's good to give educators options.
"We want students to draw their own conclusions and we want to teach them how to think but not what to think," Walters said.
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