OKLAHOMA CITY (June 23, 2021) -- Oklahoma ranks seventh in the nation for quality civics and U.S. history academic standards, according to a report released today from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. Oklahoma was awarded a B+ in both areas with accolades for deep content, clear organization and a commitment to telling the story of Native Americans. Only five states and the District of Columbia scored higher in the study. 

“Oklahoma has demonstrated high expectations for our children to become engaged and responsible citizens. A robust understanding of our rich history and the foundations of our nation’s democratic republic are essential pillars that students will need in every walk of life,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. “We’ve aligned our standards vertically so students are continuing to build upon age-appropriate civic virtues as they advance through school, from Pre-K all the way to graduation, and we're proud to spotlight tribal sovereignty in our standards.” 

The Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies were updated in 2019 with a focus on history, geography, civics and economics. They emphasize engagement in democratic processes, understanding the importance of critical questioning to solve real world problems, drawing conclusions from primary and secondary sources to formulate informed decisions, evaluating factual information and points of view, and synthesizing ideas in evidence-based writing.