OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement after three resolutions to disapprove the Oklahoma State Department of Education social studies standards (HJR 1030, SJR 19, and SJR 20) were not heard by House and Senate Republican leadership.

“House and Senate Democrats filed resolutions HJR 1030 and SJR 19 at the end of March to disapprove the standards, yet they were not given the opportunity to be heard by House and Senate leadership,” Munson said. “SJR 20, introduced last week, would also disapprove the standards and we learned today that it will not be voted on. Because no action has been taken by Republican legislative leaders, the voices of Oklahomans—across the state and party lines—who have been urging us to disapprove these problematic, and costly, social studies standards have gone unheard. These standards insert an extremist political agenda into our public education system that will only cost Oklahomans more taxpayer money. It is clear that the political pressure put forth by the State Superintendent on House and Senate leaders matters more than the needs and desires of Oklahoma educators, parents, and students. I am disappointed in the lack of action and deeply concerned for the future of public education for our teachers and students. House Democrats remain committed to holding the State Superintendent accountable and fighting against attacks on our public schools. Oklahomans deserve better than leaders who continue to embolden the State Superintendent to dismantle our public education system.”

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