Teachers moving from ‘progressive states’ into Oklahoma to be vetted by pro-Constitution test
The Oklahoma State Department of Education will roll out an assessment to test teachers moving in from “progressive states” to ensure they have a strong grasp of the U.S. constitution before they are given a teaching credential for the Sooner State.
The test will evaluate educators on their knowledge of the Constitution, understanding of American exceptionalism, and “grasp of fundamental biological differences between boys and girls,” according to a news release from the department.
The assessment is expected to be implemented before the start of the coming school year, a department official told The College Fix.
“As long as I am superintendent, Oklahoma classrooms will be safeguarded from radical leftist ideology that California and New York have fostered,” state Superintendent Ryan Walters said in a statement provided to The Fix.
“Teachers who move from these states will not be receiving a teaching certificate unless they pass our new assessment through PragerU.”
PragerU is a conservative organization committed to promoting American values. The group did not respond to The College Fix’s request seeking comment.
Some have argued the new assessment may deter teachers from moving to Oklahoma.
Heather Peske, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, told EdWeek the test “could be a deterrent for some teachers moving to Oklahoma who don’t want to get embroiled in politics.”
“Already, the state struggles with its teachers crossing the border into New Mexico, Colorado, or Texas, where they can typically make more money. The average teacher salary in Oklahoma is $61,686, according to a 2025 National Education Association estimate,” EdWeek reported.
The department labeled New York and California “progressive states,” but has yet to spell out publicly all of the states it considers left-leaning that would fall under this category.
According to its news release, the department is committed to “fostering an America First education rooted in truth, patriotism, and core values.” It added the goal of the test is to ensure “classrooms remain places of learning, not indoctrination.”
“If you want to teach here, you’d better know the Constitution, respect what makes America great, and understand basic biology,” Walters stated. “We’re raising a generation of patriots, not activists, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep leftist propaganda out of our classrooms.”
PragerU CEO Marissa Streit said in a news release the assessment “will stop extreme leftist ideologues from harming children and ensure teachers champion America’s greatness and future potential.”
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has teamed up with PragerU in the past. In 2023 they worked to provide educational materials for Oklahoma students, but the state’s largest school districts opted out of using them, KOCO news reported.
The test is one of many reforms Superintendent Walters has put in place. Walters has also “updated social studies standards aimed at strengthening civics and constitutional studies across every grade” in order to give students a “pro-America education,” Fox News reported.
MORE: Only 9 Republican professors found across 9 humanities departments at Oklahoma State University
IMAGE CAPTION & CREDIT: A teacher in the classroom / Flickr
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