Oklahoma classrooms must have a Bible, state superintendent says

• The Bible memorandum, announced in a state board of education meeting, requires every public school classroom to have a Bible. Some classes will be required to teach from it.
• It's unclear which grades will be impacted by the mandate, though the New York Times reported that a memo outlining the plan listed fifth through 12th grade as an example where teaching may occur.

What they're saying: Superintendent of public instruction Ryan Walters said that "the Bible is a necessary historical document" to teach history and understand Western civilization and the basis of the U.S. legal system.

• He characterized the Bible as "one of the most foundational documents used for the Constitution."
• Walters also slammed an Oklahoma Supreme Court opinion that deemed what would have been the first publicly funded religious charter school in the U.S. unconstitutional on Tuesday.
• He said he is prepared to challenge the state ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Catch up quick: The Oklahoma decision follows a law signed earlier this month that made Louisiana the first state to require the Ten Commandments be posted in all classrooms.

• It was swiftly challenged by multifaith and civil liberties groups in a lawsuit filed Monday.

What's next: Oklahoma's new mandate will likely receive a similar response.

Go deeper: Trump praises Louisiana displaying Ten Commandments in public schools

Axios' senior justice and race reporter Russell Contreras contributed to this story.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with more details from the memo.