The 2025 Oklahoma Republican Party Platform - Part 2

II. EDUCATION Preamble: We acknowledge our dependence upon Almighty God and ask His blessings upon our students and their parents, teachers, and nation. It is the right and responsibility of parents (hereafter to mean parents and/ or legal guardians) to direct their children's upbringing and education whether public, private, charter, or education by other means without interference, regulation, or penalty from the government. The primary goal of public schools should be to teach proficiency in the basic subjects of phonics-based reading, written and oral communication, mathematics, sciences, history, founding documents, Godly heritage of our nation, critical thinking skills, basic morals, and civics. Locally elected school boards should have the authority to determine and implement all public-school curricula, policies, and procedures for their districts. We demand open accountability from all tax-funded education in Oklahoma. The federal government has no constitutional role in education. A. Philosophy We Believe 1. We believe the traditional family unit, consisting of a (husband) man, (wife) woman, and child(ren) is the foundation of our social structure. The Oklahoma Department of Education and the various 7 Boards of Regents should uphold and teach this definition of traditional family at all levels of public education. 2. We believe individuals should have the right to choose their own education and career tracks. 3. We believe to comply with the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, we favor elimination and complete defunding of the Federal Department of Education. 4. We believe in and affirm the right of students and school employees to the free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment, including the right to wear and display religious symbols, voluntary vocal prayer, optional Bible and religious study, religious expression including holidays, and equal access to use of school facilities for these activities. 5. We believe the only flags to be displayed at, or in, any Oklahoma school are the flags of the United States of America and the State of Oklahoma. Students should start the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, including "one nation under God", and be taught the history of and respect for our United States flag. 6. We believe the K-12 public-school system is for the benefit of children of legal residents of the United States. 7. We believe the responsibility to teach children the philosophy, values, and theology to live by belongs to a child's parents. We Support 1. We support all parents fulfilling their God-given responsibility to educate and raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, free from government control. 2. We support parental access to examine and evaluate all educational and assessment, records pertaining to their children. 3. We support notification to parents that should be clear, simple, and descriptive when any alternative school programs are offered. Active parental consent to opt in must be obtained without repercussion. 4. We support The Ten Commandments being displayed in public schools as a means of moral guidance along with our national motto "In God We Trust" and the Bill of Rights. Public schools shall not prohibit the teaching of the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which our country was founded. 5. We support the recognition of, instruction in, and honor given to men motivated by Judeo-Christian ethics who made great contributions to the development of traditional Western Civilization. 8 6. We support proficiency in math, reading, writing, and other basic skills before computer technology and calculators are used. 7. We support notification of parents of medical treatment sought by students including dispensing of any pharmaceuticals. We oppose mandatory healthcare in public schools, vaccinations for students, and any forced mental health evaluations or prescriptions. We Oppose 1. We oppose the imposition of national curricula, testing, data collection and teacher certification, Common Core State Standards and associated assessments, and federally mandated programs such as "No Child Left Behind", "Race to the Top," Early Learning Guidelines and Core Competencies. 2. We oppose any government required community service condition for graduation. 3. We oppose overt racism by schools in the name of thinly disguised faux efforts to "eliminate racism" which seek to achieve atheist, Marxist, or Socialist political outcomes. 4. We oppose government expansion and control by the use of public tax dollars to fund and interfere with private forms of education. 5. We oppose the teaching of humanist character education programs, such as Social Emotional Learning (SEL). B. Curriculum We Believe 1. We believe that curricula should include the basics: phonics-based reading, grammar, composition, mathematics, government, history, science, spelling, penmanship, geography, and economics. We encourage the teaching of art, music, foreign languages, and sports/physical fitness. 2. We believe parents must maintain their right and responsibility to educate their children regarding sexuality and sexual conduct. We believe sexual abstinence is the only safe way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy. 3. We believe local school boards should exercise their right to choose curriculum and textbooks, including the Bible as a literature or history text, without state limitations. 4. We believe Biblical creation and intelligent design must be taught and must receive equal funding, class time, and materials as other theories such as evolution. 5. We believe the heritage of the United States of America should be taught in public schools and include representative limited government, the lives and beliefs of the Founders, influence of the Bible and religion on our laws and principles, and the concept of free enterprise. We believe students should study directly from the primary founding documents, which teach that the distribution of power is among three branches of federal government and the difference between federal and state government teaching that our nation is a constitutional republic. 6. We believe English, the dominant language of our nation, should be the primary language taught in 9 public schools with other languages only offered as electives. We Support 1. We support curricula that promotes the U.S. national sovereignty and the singing of traditional songs and teaching of patriotic literature in all grades. We respect different cultures, but support prioritizing our commonalities as U.S. Citizens. 2. We support the right of parents to personally observe all classroom instruction, activities, and curriculum choices. 3. We strongly support the teaching of the scientific biologically verifiable X and Y chromosomal definition of male and female at birth. 4. We support teaching the basic rules of finance, such as economics, saving, investing, borrowing, balancing a checkbook, and living within a budget. We Oppose 1. We oppose the portrayal of homosexual, promiscuous, or fornication behaviors in a positive light in public schools. 2. We oppose the teaching of non-chromosomal gender and LGBTQ+ lifestyle, history, and demonstration. 3. We oppose one-world government and global citizenship. 4. We oppose teaching multiculturalism that promotes cultural segregation. We are created in God's image. There is one race: the human race. 5. We oppose the implementation of all revisionist U.S. history in education. 6. We oppose the teaching of the theory of anthropogenic global warming without providing equal time for instruction in the complex systems of geo-physics that cause observable climate change, such as solar variations, plate tectonics, and volcanic eruptions. C. Administration and Management We Believe 1. We believe that all education and management decisions should be returned to the control of parents, elected school boards, teachers, and administration at the local level. 2. We believe schools should protect the privacy of any personal information or data collected on a student or their family. 3. School elections should be on the same date as general elections. 4. We believe security options should be pursued, including but not limited to officers and school 10 employees who are qualified to be armed. 5. We believe teachers, school administrators, and the local school board should work together to set and implement policies that give teachers the freedom and authority to lawfully maintain order, discipline, and safety. 6. We believe teachers should not be coerced to adjust standards for any failing students, including athletes. 7. We believe the Teachers Retirement Fund should be actuarially funded with full public disclosure. We Support 1. We support the freedom of local school boards to hire, direct, train, retain, or terminate any teacher who fails to provide the highest quality of instruction based on merit, not years of service. The evaluation criteria should be determined by local school boards for their school districts. 2. We support extensive background checks of prospective school employees, with the right of local school boards to refuse employment to anyone. 3. We support public independent auditing of all public schools and institutions of higher education in Oklahoma. 4. We support the enforcement of Oklahoma statutes that prohibit teachers from strikes, walkouts, or semblance thereof during the school year by penalizing any district that closes its schools with a funding cut equivalent to the daily payroll and expenses of the district. 5. We support professional development for teachers; however, we believe classes should not be canceled in order for public school employees to attend political conventions, electioneering, campaigning, voting, or union meetings. 6. We support right-to-work laws, which provide all public-school administrators, teachers, and staff the choice to refuse to join or financially support any union, political party, or any other organization. All options are to be made available to teachers, staff, and parents. 7. We support requiring public schools to provide parents the platforms of all educational organizations for which a teacher or staff member is eligible to join. 8. We support local school districts placing year-end excess monies into an interest-bearing account to encourage fiscal responsibility, and they should not be penalized by the State Department of Education for doing so. 9. We support the consolidation of the technical, operational, and administrative resources of school districts, but do not support the closing of individual schools. 10. We support local school board appointed textbook committees to select the state/district funded textbooks and the elimination of the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee. 11. We support the right of parents to determine and guide their children's medical needs including vaccination. Schools must disclose all legal exemptions when making requests. 11 12. We support the independent testing of radiation levels in all public schools with full disclosure of the proven hazards and impacts of radio frequency, electromagnetic, and microwave radiation upon children and youth (e.g.: mitochondrial and DNA damage and destruction). We Oppose 1. We oppose Public School Districts receiving any state funding to pay or collect any employee's organizational and/or union dues by using the payroll deduction system or any other accounting/collection system of the school district to provide centralized dues collection. 2. We oppose the collection by the government of personal information or data on students or their families, aka: data mining. 3. We oppose the designation of public schools as "gun free zones". 4. We oppose the issuance of bonds by school districts to fund operational expenses. 5. We oppose any non-chromosomal sex/gender use of locker rooms, sports team qualifications, or public restrooms. While we support a positive, competitive spirit in all activities, we oppose student athletes competing as anything other than their genetically determined sex/gender. 6. We oppose automatic teacher tenure. 7. We oppose schools requiring access to medical documents, including vaccination/immunization records, for enrollment. All medical determinations should be decided by the parents. 8. We oppose mandatory year-round schooling. 9. We oppose mandatory expansion of public school from birth on; aka: universal childcare 10. We oppose the teaching or presence of any inappropriate, harmful, or perverse content such as sexualized information, pornography, illustrations, or books with this material. 11. We oppose any increased state funding for the government schools. D. Higher Education We Believe 1. We believe higher education is a privilege, not a right. There are many options for education to be explored and determined by each individual. 2. We believe the Constitutional rights of college/university students, including their right to due process, must be protected. 3. We believe the Constitutional right to carry shall not be infringed upon at any college/university in Oklahoma. 4. We believe all publicly funded institutions of higher education should offer curriculum designed to train a student for a viable career path upon graduation. Responsibility for the market need for a specific degree should rest with the institution. 12 5. We believe there should be a required course in phonics for elementary teacher certification, as well as for certification at all levels of reading and language arts. We Support 1. We support the freedom of each individual college/university to hire, direct, train, retain, or terminate any teacher who fails to provide the highest quality of instruction based on merit, not years of service. 2. We support the freedom of each individual college/university to develop its own standards, course curriculum, scholarships, tuition, and fees. 3. We support budgeting tied to comprehensive planning processes with increases in funding directly related to specific goals and objectives listing expected improvements. 4. We support any student being able to use all scholarships, grants, or other financial aid to obtain a degree in the field of their choice, including religious studies. 5. We support strict adherence to the law that requires the majority of the nine-member Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College ("OSU") to be actively engaged in farming or ranching. We Oppose 1. We oppose all Marxist ideology such as Critical Race Theory (CRT), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and all other critical theories. 2. We oppose the enactment of any compelled speech policies forcing students, staff, or faculty at public colleges/universities to use other people's preferred or gender-neutral pronouns. 3. We oppose public higher education funding of one-sided studies intended to prove anthropogenic global warming for the purpose of justifying wealth redistribution 4. We oppose higher education funding and teaching of all aspects of gender reassignment: research, surgery, mental health, and "affirming care". 5. We oppose non-U.S. citizens being able to take advantage of taxpayer-funded scholarships, grants, or other financial aid to obtain a degree. 6. We oppose the requirement of completing and submitting a FAFSA form for enrollment in Oklahoma colleges and universities. III. Government Preamble: The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land and should be interpreted according to the original intent of the founding fathers as explained in the federalist papers. We call for reaffirmation of our God-given rights enumerated in the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Ordinance of 1787: The Northwest Territorial Government, and the Constitution of the United States together establish the exclusive basis 13 of the rule of law for our nation. These Organic Documents supersede all subsequent legislation, judicial decisions, and declared emergencies. Our founding fathers based these first laws on traditional Judeo- Christian ethics and values. We believe these documents are the basis for law, order, and behavior, allowing individuals, including government officials, the freedom to involve God in all activities according to their consciences. We believe all persons are responsible and should be held accountable for their actions. We believe in transparent and honest government with minimal intrusion, providing protection for all its citizens with fair and equitable treatment, enforcement, and justice. We realize without economic freedom there is no political freedom. We believe the greatest incentive for the creation of wealth lies in the respect for private property rights and the free enterprise system as the best and most efficient distribution of resources. A. Financial & Tax Issues i. Budget We Believe 1. We believe all governmental budgets should be balanced by decreasing spending, eliminating fraud, and eliminating duplication of services. 2. We support transparency and audits in government spending. 3. We believe the US Congress should ban earmarks. 4. We believe individuals, families, churches, and private organizations should take responsibility in meeting the needs of the citizens of the community. 5. We believe in a welfare policy that promotes the traditional American family unity, a strong work ethic, and individual responsibility. Those who repeatedly misuse the system, or fraudulently represent themselves shall forfeit further assistance. 6. We believe all able-bodied recipients of welfare and other federal entitlements should be required to work. 7. We believe in the implementation of "sunset laws," "zero-based budgeting," and performance audits to require justification for government programs. 8. We believe designated funds should be spent only for the stated purpose and not placed in the general fund. We Support 1. We support a full and complete public audit of the Federal Reserve System. 2. We support the elimination of barriers to purchase insurance across state lines. 3. We support total state control of Medicaid programs. 4. We support requiring a balanced federal budget, except in times of congressionally declared war. 14 5. We support the repeal or consolidation of federal, state, and local programs found to be non- performing, duplicative, or not authorized by the constitution. 6. We support the elimination of government funding for the Public Broadcasting System, the National Endowment for the Arts and National Public Radio. 7. We support making the Congressional Pension and health care benefits the same as the benefits the citizens use such as private savings, Social Security, and Medicare. 8. We support a requirement that all bills presented in Congress identify the specific Constitutional authorization (Article I, Section 8). 9. We support lowering the national debt by cutting non-defense spending. 10. We support abolishment of the federal minimum wage. 11. We support repeal of federal legislation that requires paying prevailing union wages on government contracts. 12. We support the elimination of funding for Planned Parenthood and other programs promoting or providing preborn baby murder. 13. We support a free market-based public transportation system as opposed to government funding. 14. We support abolishing the Federal Reserve. We Oppose 1. We oppose raising the debt limit. 2. We oppose the use of continuing resolutions to fund the federal government in lieu of passing an annual federal budget. 3. We oppose paying congressional members during any government shutdown. 4. We oppose simply 'printing money' to allow increased spending. 5. We oppose the nationalization of private businesses and enterprises, and efforts to support or subsidize in return for partial or complete control of private enterprises. 6. We oppose federal programs that enlarge the number of US citizens dependent upon government for their basic subsistence. 7. We oppose all congressional pay increases until the federal budget is balanced. 8. We oppose socialized medicine, the Affordable Care Act, or any other nationalized health care system. 15 ii. Taxation We Support 1. We support the repeal of the 16th Amendment, the elimination of the Internal Revenue Service, and replacement of the current tax system based on income with a simple system such as the Fair Tax. 2. We support eliminating taxation on income and property. 3. We support that any tax or fee set up for a particular purpose should be used solely for that purpose or should be repealed. 4. We support lowering or removing the state sales tax on groceries. 5. We support legislation requiring that state lottery funds be applied in addition to, not as a replacement for, state funding of schools. 6. We support requiring all initiative petitions to define the funding mechanisms. 7. We support tax policies that promote personal savings and capital formation. 8. We support the elimination of the marriage penalty, capital gains taxes, the earned income tax credit, the alternative minimum tax, double taxation of dividends, and inheritance tax. 9. We support requiring a two-thirds majority vote by Congress to increase taxes. 10. We support legislation requiring that all state fuel and vehicle taxes and tag fees go to state, county, and local transportation infrastructure. 11. We support reducing fuel taxes, both federal and state for agricultural use. 12. We support abolishing the income tax entirely. We Oppose 1. We oppose the creation of a tax on services as this will negatively impact working families and individuals. 2. We oppose the use of sales tax and use tax revenue bonds for advance local capital improvements. City and county improvements should be authorized only on a pay-as-you-go basis, and should not incur new taxes or bonds. 3. We oppose taxes or other incentives for businesses that encourage the exportation of jobs from the United States to foreign nations. 4. We oppose the use of restrictive fuel taxes for regulation of carbon or particulate matter emissions. 16 iii. Economic Development We Believe 1. We believe in free, open, and fair markets. 2. We believe that Oklahoma's efforts to attract industry should be grounded upon the establishment of a favorable and friendly "economic climate" rather than upon tax and other governmental subsidies to individual businesses. We Support 1. We support the revision of corporate laws and regulations to encourage business and economic development while reflecting free market principles. We Oppose 1. We oppose and discourage government competition with the private sector. 2. We oppose market interference by the government in setting insurance premiums. 3. We oppose public-private partnerships and the use of eminent domain. 4. We oppose governmental efforts to stimulate the economy or bail out troubled entities through massive increases in governmental spending, crushing debt, or massive tax increases. 5. We oppose a temporary assistance package for lenders or borrowers in mortgage foreclosures. The free market should be allowed to work. 6. We oppose the existence of a minimum wage. iv. Social Security We Believe 1. We believe Social Security is a contract with the United States workers and not an entitlement. Taxpayers should have the option of ownership and control over individual Social Security funds, including allowing a percentage of their Social Security tax to be placed in private investments of their choosing. We Support 1. We support repealing the 1993 Clinton tax on Social Security benefits.