SKIATOOK, Okla. — The Skiatook Public Schools Superintendent talked to 2 News about the research assignment which asked students "Is God real?"
2 News also talked about the assignment with State Superintendent Ryan Walters who said he didn't know about it before we asked him. .
This was the first assignment that seemed to bring the Bible into the classroom. Some parents wondered if similar assignments would appear more under Walters' leadership.
"I haven't seen it," Walters said. "Look, here's the reality. What we've seen in the classroom is the radical left attack, any mention of God, any mention of the Bible."
Skiatook's Superintendent Rick Loggins said the assignment was not up to their standards.
"World religions are taught in world history but that was not the unit that they were in. So, when we saw the assignment the high school principal met with the teacher. Discussed that with him and asked him to remove the assignment," said Loggins.
The assignment shocked Olivia Gray, her daughter was in the class. She talked to 2 News about the assignment:
She said it was harmful to people like her daughter, who is of native descent.
"My daughter is descended from many people who are forced into residential schools and Christianity was weaponized and so it just feels very unsafe for us," Gray said.
She said the problems start at the top at a state level not with the district.
"They need to really focus their attention and their energy on making sure we’re not 50th in the nation for education. Like they just really have other things that they need to work on besides indoctrinating children," Gray said.
- SIMILAR COVERAGE: WATCH: Supt. Walters talks to 2 News about lawsuits, funding concerns & back-to-school
She criticized Walters for confusing the message on what teachers can teach. She said his support for putting the Bible in schools blurred the lines and created fear for students of other religions.
Her daughter Nettie Gray said the research paper was confusing and she felt uncomfortable when it was assigned.
"In the past brought up the word religion, they’re always like if you’re uncomfortable about this type of topic, just let me know and we won’t talk about it, but he just went straight to the point," said Nettie.
2 News took Nettie's concerns to Walters.
"That's why we gave those additional guidelines. There will be more guidance is coming out as well. The districts, and that's where, you know, we tried to be crystal clear," said Walter.
But it wasn’t crystal clear with the assignment sparking more questions about the future of education in Oklahoma.
Loggins said he invited the Gray family to have a conversation about the assignment. They had that meeting Aug. 21.
He said they’re working to make sure all academic content meets their educational standards.
2 News sent the assignment to Walters, back hasn't heard back.
WATCH: Full interview with Supt. Walters:
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- SUBSCRIBE on YouTube
