Oklahoma to Require Out-of-State Teachers to Take Ideology Screening Test

Applicants seeking teaching positions in Oklahoma from New York and California may soon face a new requirement: passing an exam aimed at ensuring they do not hold what officials describe as “radical leftist ideology.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters announced the initiative this week, saying the test will be created and overseen by PragerU, an organization known for its conservative educational content. Walters framed the move as a way to “protect Oklahoma classrooms.”

“As long as I am superintendent, Oklahoma classrooms will be safeguarded from the radical leftist ideology fostered in places like California and New York,” Walters said in an official statement.

Speaking with USA Today, Walters added that the assessment will help ensure students are taught “without liberal indoctrination,” calling the reforms a way to return schools to “pro-America education.”

What the Test Includes

The Associated Press reported that early sample questions ask applicants to:

• Recite the opening words of the U.S. Constitution.

• Explain the significance of freedom of religion to America’s identity.

• Answer basic civics questions, such as:

  • What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

  • How many U.S. Senators are there?

  • Why do some states have more Representatives than others?

The requirement, according to Walters, will apply specifically to teacher applicants from New York and California.

Pushback and Criticism

The announcement has already drawn sharp criticism from educators and political leaders.

• Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, described the move as “another turnoff for teachers in a state already struggling with a huge shortage.”

• John Waldron, chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, noted that he himself relocated to teach in the state in 1999, saying a similar requirement at the time would have signaled Oklahoma “wasn’t serious about attracting quality teachers.”

Waldron also stressed that Oklahoma faces an ongoing teacher shortage and said the policy could further discourage applicants.

Note to Readers

This report is presented in a neutral, fact-based manner. We are not taking a position on the policy but simply relaying statements from both supporters and critics.