Textbook Publishers Back Away Amid Oklahoma Standards Dispute

Textbook Orders on Hold Across the State

A dozen national textbook publishers are now refusing to offer new products to Oklahoma schools as the state’s social studies standards remain tied up in court.

The Oklahoma State Textbook Committee voted to put any new textbook purchases on indefinite hold, citing multiple lawsuits and ongoing confusion about which learning standards schools are legally allowed to follow.

Schools Left Using Older Materials

That means for now, local districts will continue using the books already on their shelves, some several years out of date. District administrators say they are waiting for guidance from the State Department of Education before ordering new materials — even if funds were budgeted for curriculum updates this year.

Some superintendents have raised concerns that students could fall behind national benchmarks if schools are unable to access newer editions that reflect current events and civics instruction.

Background of the Controversy

The dispute stems from lawsuits filed against the state after new social studies and history standards were challenged by advocacy groups and educators who argue the revisions limit classroom discussion of race, government, and U.S. history topics.

While those cases move through court, textbook companies have opted out of the Oklahoma adoption process altogether rather than risk producing materials that might later be rejected or banned.

What’s Next for Districts

The State Board of Education has not announced when new standards might be finalized or when publishers could reapply for approval. Until then, districts must rely on supplemental materials and digital resources to fill content gaps in subjects like history and civics.

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