Out-of-state teacher candidates who want to work in Oklahoma must now pass a supplemental exam developed by PragerU to ensure they have an accurate understanding of biology, civics, and American history and values.
Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has introduced a new “America First” certification test for incoming teachers from California and New York, reflecting Oklahoma’s commitment to preserving traditional American values and academic truth in education.
The 50-question exam, developed in partnership with conservative media company PragerU, tests knowledge in civics, U.S. history, biological distinctions, and religious freedom. The requirement aims to prevent what Walters calls “radical leftist ideology” from entering Sooner State classrooms.
“Every teacher that teaches in the state of Oklahoma will have to have a certificate that goes through my office,” Walters stated. It has my signature on it. So that those will not move forward until this is done.”
Although the questions aren’t publicly known, Walters explained that one proposed multiple-choice question would ask teachers to determine biological sex according to a series of chromosome pairs.
Supporters say this approach is both pragmatic and principled. Walters, who has long encouraged teachers to ground instruction in factual knowledge and patriotic values, sees the exam as a necessary measure amid a national surge of “woke” educational paradigms.
Oklahoma, like many states, continues to grapple with a serious teacher shortage. To address this, the state recently offered signing bonuses of up to $50,000 to lure qualified educators. The ideological screening is meant to ensure that those who cross state lines align with Oklahoma’s educational ethos.
Advocates further argue that rigorous vetting is critical to ensuring teacher alignment with a state’s cultural and academic expectations. By assessing candidates on fundamental principles, such as recognizing “We the People” as the Constitution’s opening words, identifying the U.S. Congress’s structure, and understanding religious liberty’s role in shaping America, the test reinforces Oklahoma’s determination to uphold a patriotic, balanced, and truth-based curriculum. Supporters believe it will bolster parental confidence and reinforce community accountability.
The exam specifically targets teachers from California and New York, states whose K–12 curricula often reflect progressive stances on gender, race, and history. Walters and supporting policymakers fear that unvetted imports could shift Oklahoma classrooms toward polarizing content. Proactive screening, they argue, supports a consistent educational framework and addresses parental concerns about ideological indoctrination.
Critics, however, argue that the exam creates a political barrier and may worsen the teacher shortage.
“This MAGA loyalty test will be yet another turnoff for teachers in a state already struggling with a huge shortage,” said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. “[The superintendent’s] priority should be educating students, but instead, it’s getting Donald Trump and other MAGA politicians to notice him.”
Supporters counter that the requirement is a reasonable adjustment, applied equally, and reflective of Oklahoma’s culture and expectations. They note that the exam is an addition to, not a replacement for, standard licensure standards.
Proponents also highlight that all teachers still undergo licensure tests specific to their subject area and must meet critical history and education requirements to be certified.
The teacher test requirement follows Oklahoma’s recent decision to teach the Bible and the 10 Commandments in grades 5–12 and restore historical and moral context to public education.
Walters described the Bible as one of the most influential texts in shaping the United States, noting its importance in understanding the nation’s founding ideals. By placing it alongside other historical documents, such as the Mayflower Compact, students gain insight into the spiritual and philosophical principles that guided early American society and how they influenced law, government, and culture.
Walters says the curriculum is not a religious mandate but a way for Oklahoma schools to strengthen students’ understanding of America’s roots, while fostering respect for the shared values that helped shape the nation.
Education is not simply about teaching facts but about shaping the hearts and minds of the next generation. If schools become a place where truth is twisted, children are led into confusion instead of clarity and into bondage instead of freedom.
For Christians, Oklahoma’s efforts to protect classrooms from ideologies that contradict truth should be seen as both an opportunity and a call to action.
The “America First” teacher test emphasizes biological reality, civic responsibility, and an understanding of the nation’s founding principles, including religious liberty. While some critics dismiss these subjects as political talking points, Christians can recognize that they, in fact, reflect God’s design for creation, the necessity of order, and the freedom of conscience.
Genesis affirms the distinction between male and female, Romans 13 outlines the role of government, and Galatians 5 reminds us that freedom should be guarded from those who seek to enslave through falsehoods.
Parents and churches must also remember that schools cannot bear the entire weight of discipleship. While Oklahoma is taking bold steps to keep education aligned with biblical truth and America’s founding values, Christian families have the responsibility to reinforce these lessons at home. The classroom can provide historical and civic grounding, but it is in the home and church where children learn to apply faith in their daily lives.
Christians should be grateful that some American leaders are pushing back against cultural lies, but they must also remain vigilant to ensure that Christ remains at the center of how we understand truth, freedom, and education. As Proverbs 22:6 instructs, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
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