Walters Eliminates Woke American Library Association Standards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More Comprehensive Rules Are True to Oklahoma Values
Oklahoma City, Okla – State Superintendent Ryan Walters has announced new Information Literacy Standards that introduce standards based on grade level, and more closely reflect Oklahoma Values, while eliminating all references to the American Library Association (ALA) and its guidelines. This is the first such rejection of ALA’s activist, left-wing standards to be adopted by a public education system.
“We will not allow taxpayer-funded, woke indoctrination of our children in Oklahoma,” said Walters. “The ALA has repeatedly and unapologetically fought against filtering of internet pornography in libraries, fought to allow libraries across the country to bring in pornographic and inappropriate books, and attacked parents who just want libraries to protect children and reflect their communities. In Oklahoma schools, this will not continue.
Additionally, the new, grade-band approach will help ensure our kids have the tools they need to make sound decisions in the ever-evolving information age. Oklahoma will be a leader in preparing our students for the digital future.”
These new information literacy standards represent a significant enhancement over the 2007 standards by introducing a tiered approach, aligning skills with appropriate grade levels. The focus of the new standards is solely on skills, which encompass the inquiry process while incorporating modern elements like artificial intelligence.
