Opponents of deference to parents often believe parents cannot be trusted to raise their own children.

The latest proof comes in two bills filed at the Oklahoma Legislature.

House Bill 4130, by state Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, would require any homeschooling parents to notify the state Department of Human Services and undergo a background check. The bill would also impose registration and background-check requirements on parents who “change school districts, whether a result of a move or otherwise.”

Basically, Swope’s default assumption is that any parent who educates their child anywhere other than a local, geographically assigned school should be treated as a likely child predator.

The hallways of the Oklahoma state capitol building were packed with families today voicing their support of the freedom to homeschool their children without governmental interference. Organized by Homeschool Oklahoma, the state advocacy organization, hundreds of homeschooling families from across the state filled the capitol rotunda to express their appreciation for the rights of homeschoolers in Oklahoma as well as express concerns that some people may be looking to limit those freedoms.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education continues its work to remove age-inappropriate pornographic materials from Oklahoma’s public schools. At its January 25, 2024, meeting Superintendent Ryan Walters officially informed the board that he has appointed nationally renowned Chaya Raichik (handle: Libs of TikTok) to the state Library Media Advisory Committee. In a brief video presentation Chaya assured viewers that the porn will be removed and “we will take back our schools”. 

Superintendent Ryan opined that it would be better for schools to act on their own now to remove such materials from their libraries. He said that if the state finds the materials “there will be accountability.”

Well before the meeting began Protestors armed with signs gathered outside. Protests continued during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. In part protestors were blaming Chaya for the August 2023 bomb threats to Tulsa area schools that were later deemed “not credible” by the Tulsa Police Department and the FBI.