Oklahoma initiates contentious screening process for teacher candidates to identify perceived politically vocal applicants commencing today
Oklahoma has introduced a new and contentious teacher assessment, developed in partnership with the conservative media company PragerU, as part of the ongoing education culture wars. The assessment, mandatory for teachers seeking to work in Oklahoma public schools this school year, is controversial and has sparked debates about ideological conformity, political influence, and educational fairness.
Oklahoma's State Superintendent, Ryan Walters, has framed the exam as a tool to "protect Oklahoma classrooms from radical leftist ideology" and to prevent a "woke, Marxist agenda" associated with liberal states like California and New York from influencing Oklahoma's public education. The exam, currently partially revealed through a five-question preview, focuses on American history, civics, and constitutional principles, including the Constitution, Congress, and religious freedom.
Supporters of the test argue it ensures alignment with "traditional American values," but critics view it as a politically motivated "loyalty test" aimed at screening teachers based on ideology rather than teaching ability or competence. Concerns about the test's accuracy and potential impact include prioritizing ideological conformity over educational qualifications, politicizing teacher certification and public education, and unfairly excluding qualified educators from more liberal states.
The association with PragerU, an organization known for its conservative and right-leaning educational content, fuels debates about bias and cultural influence in schooling. PragerU's content has been approved for use as teaching materials in public schools in several states, including Alaska, Idaho, South Carolina, Louisiana, Arizona, New Hampshire, Montana, Texas, and Florida.
Walters, Oklahoma's top education official, believes he has legal authority to order and administer the PragerU assessment, but did not provide an explanation for the claim. It is important to note that PragerU is not an accredited university or education institution.
The test specifically evaluates educators on their understanding of "American exceptionalism" and "fundamental biological differences between boys and girls." This has led to accusations of spreading inaccurate information and fueling debates about gender and national identity.
Local Democrats expect legal challenges ahead regarding the PragerU assessment. John Waldron, the Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman and a former social studies teacher, has characterized the test as a "loyalty test" from an unaccredited agency.
Oklahoma is facing a teacher shortage and has fallen near the bottom of public education system rankings in popular assessments. The introduction of the PragerU assessment is part of a broader national debate about education content, political influence, and cultural values in schools, with specific apprehensions about its implications for educational fairness and quality in Oklahoma.
The PragerU assessment, controversial in the ongoing education culture wars, is being defended by Oklahoma's State Superintendent, Ryan Walters, as a means to protect Oklahoma classrooms from radical leftist ideology. However, critics view it as a politically motivated loyalty test aimed at screening teachers based on ideology rather than teaching ability or competence.
The association between the PragerU assessment and the general-news debate about ideological conformity, political influence, and educational fairness in Oklahoma's public schools has led to local Democrats expecting legal challenges ahead.
