Jake Merrick on Education

Increase parental involvement and local control

• Supports increasing parental involvement and local control in education.
• Has focused more on family issues and government accountability than specific education reforms.
• Says state leaders should listen more directly to parents and citizens.

Arm our teachers: ensure our schools are hard targets

Merrick, who served two years in the state Senate, expanded on the initial question, saying he'd ramp up efforts to arm public school teachers. "I want to see the removal of gun-free zones in Oklahoma," he said. "That would include areas like the Capitol. We need to go further and even helping to equip and arm our teachers, to ensure our schools are hard targets and our students are not sitting ducks."

Prohibit certain race and sex topics from being taught

Summary by ACLU, June 17, 2025:The lead authors declared the intent behind HB 1775 was to prohibit conversations related to "implicit bias," "systemic racism," and "intersectionality," among other concepts. In the lawsuit, the groups argue that HB 1775 unlawfully silenced students' and educators' speech through its vague and overbroad terms. It also intentionally targeted and denied access to equitable, culturally relevant teaching and ideas that reflect the history and lived experiences of students of color, LGBTQ students, and young women and girls. The case will now go back to federal court where a partial preliminary injunction is in place.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 38-9-1 on Apr/21/21; State Sen. Jake Merrick voted YES;passed House 77-18-6 on May/3/21; signed by Governor Kevin Stitt on May/7/21.