Oklahoma to Test Teachers from California and New York for “Radical Left Ideology”

Kokcha News Agency: In a controversial move, Oklahoma, a Republican-dominated state, has mandated that teacher candidates from California and New York must pass a 50-question test created by PragerU, a conservative nonprofit. State Superintendent Ryan Walters stated that the test aims to keep “radical left ideology” out of classrooms.

The exam includes questions on topics such as the first three words of the U.S. Constitution, the importance of religious freedom to American identity, and the alleged harms of “gender ideology.” PragerU has positioned itself as a gatekeeper for teaching positions, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from educators and unions.

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, called the test a “MAGA loyalty test,” warning that it could deter qualified teachers from applying in a state already facing a severe teacher shortage. Education experts have described the integration of PragerU into the state system as “unprecedented,” effectively making the organization a gatekeeper for teaching roles.

Democratic representatives in Oklahoma have labeled the move a “political stunt,” while social studies education associations argue that it contradicts the fundamental principles of the U.S. Constitution.