Oklahoma is taking a bold step to preserve educational integrity and curb the growing threat of left-wing indoctrination in schools.
The state’s Superintendent, Ryan Walters, announced this week that Oklahoma will become the first state to require teachers relocating from liberal-leaning states to pass a new certification test that ensures they align with Oklahoma’s curriculum standards.
In a statement, Walters emphasized that the state’s new approach is designed to weed out any “woke” influences and prevent leftist ideologies from infiltrating Oklahoma’s classrooms.
He explained that the new test, developed in collaboration with conservative think tank PragerU, will focus on fundamental American values, including American history, civics, and “common sense.”
“We’ve seen teachers from blue states—like California, Maine, and New York—fleeing the grip of teachers’ unions and the radical left-wing policies that are suffocating education in those states,” Walters said.
“We want to make sure that the teachers who come to Oklahoma share our values and are committed to providing our children with the best possible education.”
Walters pointed to the generous incentives offered to teachers in Oklahoma, including the largest signing bonuses in the country.
“If you’re in the top 10 percent of teachers in the country, we give you $50,000 in Oklahoma,” he said.
“That’s why we’ve had so many teachers from blue states, red states, and everywhere in between coming here to work.
“They are leaving the indoctrination behind and seeking refuge in Oklahoma’s strong education system.”
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The “America First” certification test will be a key tool in ensuring that incoming teachers meet Oklahoma’s educational standards.
The test will include questions on American history, with an emphasis on American exceptionalism, and will seek to identify teachers who are committed to upholding traditional values rather than pushing social justice or left-wing ideologies.
“We want to ensure that we’re not getting social justice warriors in our classrooms,” Walters said, noting the contrast between Oklahoma’s approach and the progressive policies in other states.
In particular, Walters called out California’s Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom and other liberal leaders for pushing extreme ideologies such as gender theory and LGBTQ indoctrination in schools.
“In California, students are being taught about gender expression and identity, while we’re focused on making sure our children know the true history of our country,” Walters explained.
“We’re going to make sure that this doesn’t creep into our schools here in Oklahoma.”
The partnership with PragerU, which has worked with Oklahoma in the past to help shape history curriculum and standards, is a critical component of this effort.
PragerU’s spokesperson commended Oklahoma for its commitment to providing a patriotic, truth-centered education.
“We’re honored to help reverse the damage caused by the left’s extreme agenda,” the spokesperson said.
“This is about equipping educators with the tools to teach American values, not the divisive, radical ideology being pushed by the left.”
Despite some pushback from Walters’ colleagues on the legality and necessity of the test, the superintendent has remained firm in his stance.
Some members of the state board, like Chris Van Denhende, have questioned whether the test is necessary since Oklahoma teachers are already required to adhere to state standards.
But Walters didn’t back down, calling those critics “puppets for the teachers’ unions” and accusing them of parroting the lies of the National Education Association (NEA).
“I’ve had to deal with people in our state that are just continuing to parrot the lies of the NEA,” Walters said, referring to opponents of the new policy.
“We’re seeing indoctrination on kids like never before, and it’s time we take action to protect our students from that.”
Oklahoma’s move comes at a time when many conservatives are calling for greater accountability in education and pushing back against the left-wing agenda infiltrating schools across the country.
With more states considering similar measures, Oklahoma’s bold approach could serve as a model for others who are committed to protecting children from the radical left and restoring sanity to the education system.
By putting the values of American history, personal responsibility, and integrity first, Oklahoma is setting a new standard for education in the country.
And with the “America First” certification test, the state is taking a firm stand against the encroachment of woke culture in the classroom.
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