Summary of BERT v. Drummond Lawsuit and Key Points for Educators

In October 2021, a multiracial group of Oklahoma students, parents, and faculty filed a federal lawsuit challenging H.B. 1775. H.B. 1775 isa classroom censorship bill that severely restricts teaching about race and gender in Oklahoma public education. The law has two sections:the first applies to colleges and universities, and the second applies to K-12 schools.

When they filed the case, this group of students, parents, and faculty asked the district court for a temporary order against H.B. 1775,barring the State from enforcing the Act until the lawsuit is resolved. On June 14, 2024, Judge Charles Goodwin granted, in part, this request.

Judge Goodwin’s decision blocks any enforcement of H.B. 1775 in higher education classrooms and stops K-12 officials from enforcing H.B.1775’s most vague language.