Oklahoma rolled out a new teacher certification requirement designed to filter out left-wing ideology in the classroom. Educators relocating to the state from places like California and New York must now pass an assessment developed in partnership with conservative media organization PragerU before they are eligible to teach in Oklahoma schools.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters defended the initiative, saying the goal is simple: ensure that teachers coming from states with radically different education philosophies agree to abide by Oklahoma’s academic standards — not impose agendas that conflict with them.
“Every teacher that teaches in the state of Oklahoma will have to have a certificate that goes through my office,” Walters said during an interview with CNN. “We will not allow these leftists’ plans and schemes to take place here in Oklahoma.”
The assessment is currently targeted at educators relocating from California and New York, but Walters noted the policy could expand to as many as eight other states in the near future.
What’s on the Test?
While critics — including national media outlets and Democratic leaders — have labeled the assessment “controversial” and “insulting,” the content itself suggests otherwise.
According to CNN’s own report, the test includes basic civics and science questions, such as:
- What chromosomes determine biological sex?
- Why is freedom of religion important to American identity?
- What are the first three words of the U.S. Constitution?
- What are the two chambers of Congress?
- How many U.S. Senators are there?
The test was designed in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Education, with PragerU comparing Oklahoma’s education standards to those required in California and New York.
“You’re going to teach that there are biological differences between males and females — period,” said Walters. “You’re going to teach American history using primary source documents. You’re not going to push a left-wing agenda onto our kids.”
Backlash from the Left
Unsurprisingly, the decision drew immediate criticism from prominent media figures and progressive leaders.
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman John Waldron characterized the policy as a “loyalty test” from “an unaccredited agency,” calling it “an insult” to professional educators.
However, while PragerU is not a traditional university — a fact CNN and other outlets have repeatedly pointed out — its curriculum is already being used in public schools in at least nine states. And it’s doing so at a time when trust in higher education is reaching record lows.
A Gallup poll conducted last year showed that confidence in accredited universities has plummeted, with only 36% of U.S. adults expressing “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in these institutions — down from 57% in 2015.
Critics of the Oklahoma measure argue that teachers are not entering the profession to “hate America” or indoctrinate students. But supporters point out that if that were true, then passing a test that includes questions about American civics and science shouldn’t be difficult or controversial.
A Broader National Trend
Oklahoma’s policy comes amid growing frustration on the right over political and cultural narratives being pushed in schools — often under the guise of “diversity,” “equity,” or “social justice” programs. In response, some states are taking a more active role in determining what’s taught and who is qualified to teach it.
PragerU’s rise in educational influence is also part of a broader shift within public education. As left-leaning institutions continue to dominate university teacher preparation programs, states like Oklahoma are looking for ways to realign the profession with the values and standards of their communities.
CNN noted that Oklahoma’s partnership with PragerU signals the growing influence of conservative voices in education policy following the 2024 presidential election, where Donald Trump won a decisive victory — not only securing the Electoral College but also the popular vote and every key swing state.
For many voters, that election result was a mandate to push back on progressive overreach — including in classrooms.
The Bottom Line
Supporters of the new certification requirement argue that Oklahoma is simply doing what states have a right — and responsibility — to do: ensuring that public school teachers reflect the educational values and expectations of the communities they serve.
“This is about making sure our kids are learning to think critically, not ideologically,” Walters said. “We want them to understand science, civics, and American history — not be turned into political activists.”
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Great idea. Why would they want educators who don’t know those answers. A big hint they are DEI supporters.