Oklahoma purchases over 500 Bibles for classrooms • Oklahoma Voice

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Department of Education has purchased more than 500 Bibles to place in Advanced Placement government classrooms, the agency announced Thursday.

Agency spokesperson Dan Isett said the cost was $25,000.

The purchase is separate from a larger solicitation for bids to buy more Bibles, as well as copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, according to the announcement.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters said the Bibles are intended to serve as an academic and literary resource. He said he aims to place a Bible in every classroom in the state.

“I will take every step possible to ensure Oklahoma students have the resources they need to fully understand American history,” Walters said in a statement. “By acting now, Oklahoma is leading the country on a path toward greater focus on academic excellence by providing critical historical, cultural, and literary context for our students.”

The Education Department previously issued a request for proposals with the goal of buying 55,000 Bibles, along with America’s founding documents. The agency canceled the solicitation but intends to issue a new request for proposals, Oklahoma Watch reported.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information the Education Department provided after publication about the $25,000 cost of the Bibles.