Ryan Walters, OSDE looking to integrate Bible in elementary schools

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In a new request for proposal submitted Friday, state Superintendent Ryan Walters is looking to purchase Bibles for elementary school classrooms.

Josh Wallace Digital Editor Ryan Walters, OSDE looking to integrate Bible in elementary schools across Oklahoma

In a new request for proposal submitted Friday, state Superintendent Ryan Walters is looking to purchase Bibles for elementary school classrooms.

TODAY'S VERY FIRST MEETING. WELL, STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WAS INSIDE THE SENATE ASSEMBLY ROOM DEFENDING HIS PLAN TO GET BIBLES INTO OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS AMIDST TALKS OF BUDGETS, STARTING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. AS YOU'LL SEE UP THERE, PROJECTED TUESDAY MORNING, THE SENATE'S APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH THREE TOPICS ON THEIR AGENDA, BUT THE ONE GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION WAS THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S PLAN TO BUY BIBLES FOR EVERY FIFTH THROUGH 12TH GRADE CLASSROOM. AND SO THERE'S NO NO INTENTION OR STRATEGY TO BE ABLE TO TO EXPAND THE PURCHASE OF BIBLES TO INCLUDE ONE FOR EACH STUDENT. SENATOR, ARE YOU ASKING ME THAT YOU WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO PROVIDE A BIBLE FOR EVERY CHILD IN THE CLASSROOM? I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT I'M ASKING YOU, IS THAT PART OF A LARGER PLAN? WALTERS TOLD SENATORS HE'S BEING UPFRONT AND FRANK, AND HIS PLAN IS PUTTING ONE BIBLE IN EACH CLASSROOM. DESPITE GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT REQUEST FOR FLAT BUDGETS. STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS IS ASKING FOR $100 MILLION INCREASE FOR HIS DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING $3 MILLION FOR THOSE BIBLES. THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS AROUND HOW HOW MANY COULD BE PROVIDED FOR FREE, WHAT TYPE OF BIBLE. AND SO THOSE HAVE BEEN SOME ONGOING DISCUSSIONS, BUT WE'VE TRIED TO PAUSE THOSE BEFORE. ANY ANY DECISIONS MADE OF A FUTURE BUDGETARY DECISION THERE. NOW, SENATORS ALSO WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS CHARGE WOULD BE SHOWING UP YEAR AFTER YEAR. AFTER THIS FIRST YEAR, WE'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO YOU ALL AND SAY WHAT THE RETURN RATE IS, HOW MUCH OF A NEED THERE IS IN THE FUTURE. BUT AT THIS TIME WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT THAT WOULD BE. COYLE WALTERS AND THE SENATORS ALSO TALKED ABOUT OTHER BUDGET REQUESTS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING FUNDING FOR MORE SCHOOL SECURITY, LIKE SROS, INCLUDING THE RECRUITMENT OF Advertisement Ryan Walters, OSDE looking to integrate Bible in elementary schools across Oklahoma

In a new request for proposal submitted Friday, state Superintendent Ryan Walters is looking to purchase Bibles for elementary school classrooms.

Josh Wallace Digital Editor In a new request for proposal submitted Friday, state Superintendent Ryan Walters is looking to purchase Bibles for elementary school classrooms.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5's YouTube channelAccording to a summary of the RFP, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services is seeking a supplier on behalf of the Oklahoma State Department of Education to "provide a contract for the purchase of supplemental instructional materials that effectively integrate the Bible and character education into elementary-level social studies curriculum, providing students with a foundational understanding of the role these elements have played in shaping the nation."Walters and the OSDE's push for Bibles to be used as instructional materials in Oklahoma classrooms is nothing new, but having them in elementary school classrooms is.Previously, Walters and the OSDE had said they planned to buy Bibles for every fifth through 12th grade classroom."If we're going to teach kids about these incredibly influential people in American history, they have to be able to understand the role that faith and the Bible played. So, this is not pushing religion," Walters previously told KOCO 5.The department's request for Bibles in the classroom has been a controversial subject for some time, with state lawmakers grilling Walters during a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting earlier this month. Walters had asked for a $100 million increase to the OSDE's budget, including $3 million for Bibles."There have been discussions around how many could be provided for free. What type of Bible? Those have been some ongoing discussions, but we tried to pause those before any decisions were made of future budgetary decision there," Walters said at the meeting.According to the few details released in the RFP, the initial contract with a supplier would be for one year, with the option of four one-year renewals for the contract. The bidder must also have three years of experience working with government agencies and is required to submit a digital prototype "of the content of the product with its response."The bidder is also required to be able to ship the materials to every school district in the state, with the quantities being "provided by OSDE."Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Additionally, "the bidder is to state in its response any experience it has with each requirement and how it plans to comply with all the requirements of this section providing detailed information and stating affirmatively its understanding of the requirements," according to documents in the bidding process, which also outlined: Materials should contain age-appropriate biblical content, provide simple explanations that are easily understandable for elementary-age students, and demonstrate how biblical figures and stories have influenced historical events and cultural practices in the United States. Materials shall emphasize the development of core virtues such as honesty, respect, responsibility and compassion and provide historical examples and historical figures to illustrate these virtues. Materials should provide activities and exercises that help students apply these core virtues to their daily lives. Materials should reference significant historical events that occurred in Oklahoma and key historical figures from Oklahoma. Materials should reference key figures and events that have shaped the history and culture of Oklahoma. Materials should provide a teacher guide to help teachers in integrating these topics into their classroom instruction and options for professional development. Materials should align with relevant civics concepts in the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies. Provide examples. The bidder's entire order should be produced and delivered no more than 56 calendar days after the award date of the contract.Top HeadlinesVideo shows husband and wife rescued from stranded sailboatMidwest City man charged with second-degree murder after shooting, killing pregnant girlfriendOklahoma lawmaker sues Gov. Kevin Stitt over executive order ending remote work for state employeesWhat could the OKANA Resort and Waterpark's economic impact be on Oklahoma City? OKLAHOMA CITY —

In a new request for proposal submitted Friday, state Superintendent Ryan Walters is looking to purchase Bibles for elementary school classrooms.

According to a summary of the RFP, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services is seeking a supplier on behalf of the Oklahoma State Department of Education to "provide a contract for the purchase of supplemental instructional materials that effectively integrate the Bible and character education into elementary-level social studies curriculum, providing students with a foundational understanding of the role these elements have played in shaping the nation."

Walters and the OSDE's push for Bibles to be used as instructional materials in Oklahoma classrooms is nothing new, but having them in elementary school classrooms is.

Previously, Walters and the OSDE had said they planned to buy Bibles for every fifth through 12th grade classroom.

"If we're going to teach kids about these incredibly influential people in American history, they have to be able to understand the role that faith and the Bible played. So, this is not pushing religion," Walters previously told KOCO 5.

The department's request for Bibles in the classroom has been a controversial subject for some time, with state lawmakers grilling Walters during a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting earlier this month.

Walters had asked for a $100 million increase to the OSDE's budget, including $3 million for Bibles.

"There have been discussions around how many could be provided for free. What type of Bible? Those have been some ongoing discussions, but we tried to pause those before any decisions were made of future budgetary decision there," Walters said at the meeting.

According to the few details released in the RFP, the initial contract with a supplier would be for one year, with the option of four one-year renewals for the contract. The bidder must also have three years of experience working with government agencies and is required to submit a digital prototype "of the content of the product with its response."

The bidder is also required to be able to ship the materials to every school district in the state, with the quantities being "provided by OSDE."