Overview:
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is introducing a new initiative to assess educators in U.S. Civics, Constitutional Principles, American History, and the biological differences between boys and girls.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is introducing a new initiative to assess educators who are relocating to the state from other states with ” progressive education policies”. According to State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the assessment will evaluate teachers’ knowledge in areas such as U.S. Civics, Constitutional Principles, American History, and the biological differences between boys and girls.”
The initiative is the latest in Walters’ push to implement education policies aligned with conservative values and what he refers to as an “America First” approach to classroom instruction.
“We’re sending a clear message: Oklahoma’s schools will not be a haven for woke agendas pushed in places like California and New York,” Walters said in a press release. “If you want to teach here, you’d better know the Constitution, respect what makes America great and understand basic biology. We’re raising a generation of patriots, not activists, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep leftist propaganda out of our classrooms.”
The proposed screening tool is being developed in partnership with PragerU, a conservative non-profit, known for producing content that emphasizes traditional American values. Though not an accredited academic institution, PragerU has worked with several states to provide digital educational materials and resources for classrooms.
Marissa Streit, CEO of PragerU, praised the partnership.
“We’re thrilled to join Oklahoma in answering parents’ call against senseless woke indoctrination,” Streit said. “This assessment will stop extreme leftist ideologies from harming children and ensure teachers champion America’s greatness and future potential.”
While the specific components of the assessment have not yet been released, Walters said the goal is to ensure incoming educators are familiar with Oklahoma’s academic standards and expectations.
State Rep. Forrest Bennett (D-Oklahoma City) has been vocal about the issues with Walters’ idea and how it’s playing into a bigger political ploy to dismantle public education.
“There’s a teacher shortage here. We’ve got fewer people signing up to get into the profession, and a lot of folks leaving the profession,” remarked Bennett. “And a lot of them are stating—as a reason for that—is the hostile environment that this man has created. We want good educators to come to Oklahoma. We want to grow good educators here. And this doesn’t help us at all.”
The initiative is part of a broader push by the superintendent’s office to implement policies that emphasize patriotism and constitutional education. Walters has described the approach as an “America First” framework focused on aligning educational content with state-defined civic values.
The assessment, which is still being finalized, is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks. Once launched, it will apply to educators seeking certification in Oklahoma who are relocating from other states.
It is currently unclear how the policy may affect teacher recruitment efforts, particularly as school districts continue to address staffing shortages.
