Introduction to the Controversy
Oklahoma will require applicants for teacher jobs coming from California and New York to pass an exam that the Republican-dominated state’s top education official says is designed to safeguard against “radical leftist ideology,” but which opponents decry as a “MAGA loyalty test.” Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s public schools superintendent, said Monday that any teacher coming from the two blue states will be required to pass an assessment exam administered by PragerU, an Oklahoma-based conservative nonprofit, before getting a state certification.
Background on PragerU
PragerU, short for Prager University, puts out short videos with a conservative perspective on politics and economics. It promotes itself as “focused on changing minds through the creative use of digital media.” Quinton Hitchcock, a spokesperson for the state’s education department, said the Prager test for teacher applicants has been finalized and will be rolling out “very soon.” The state did not release the entire 50-question test to The Associated Press but did provide the first five questions, which include asking what the first three words of the U.S. Constitution are and why freedom of religion is “important to America’s identity.”
Reaction from Educators and Politicians
Jonathan Zimmerman, who teaches history of education at the University of Pennsylvania, said Oklahoma’s contract with PragerU to test out-of-state would-be teachers “is a watershed moment.” “Instead of Prager simply being a resource that you can draw in an optional way, Prager has become institutionalized as part of the state system,” he said. “There’s no other way to describe it.” One of the nation’s largest teachers unions, the American Federation of Teachers, has often been at odds with President Donald Trump’s administration and the crackdown on teacher autonomy in the classroom. “This MAGA loyalty test will be yet another turnoff for teachers in a state already struggling with a huge shortage,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.
Criticism of the Test
Tina Ellsworth, president of the nonprofit National Council for the Social Studies, also raised concerns that the test would prevent teachers from applying for jobs. “State boards of education should stay true to the values and principles of the U.S. Constitution,” Ellsworth said. “Imposing an ideology test to become a teacher in our great democracy is antithetical to those principles.” State Rep. John Waldron, the Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman, decried the test as “political posturing.” “If you want to see a textbook definition of indoctrination, how about a loyalty test for teachers,” said Waldron. “It’s a sad echo of a more paranoid past.”
Impact on Teacher Shortage
Waldron, a New Jersey native, said he would have been in the target demographic for this kind of test when he moved from Washington, D.C., to Oklahoma to teach social studies in 1999. He said it would have struck him as an indication that the state “wasn’t serious about attracting quality teachers.” “Teachers are not rushing here from other states to teach. We’ve got an enormous teacher shortage and it’s not like we have a giant supply of teachers coming in from blue states anyway,” he said.
Conclusion
The introduction of an ideology test for teachers in Oklahoma has drawn criticism from educators and politicians alike. The test, administered by PragerU, has been described as a “MAGA loyalty test” and has raised concerns about the state’s commitment to attracting quality teachers. As the state struggles with a huge teacher shortage, the implementation of this test may exacerbate the problem. The controversy surrounding the test highlights the ongoing debate about the role of ideology in education and the importance of protecting academic freedom.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the ideology test for teachers in Oklahoma?
A: The test is designed to safeguard against “radical leftist ideology” and is administered by PragerU, a conservative nonprofit.
Q: Which states are affected by the test?
A: Teachers applying from California and New York are required to pass the test.
Q: What are the concerns about the test?
A: Critics argue that the test is a “MAGA loyalty test” and will prevent teachers from applying for jobs, exacerbating the state’s teacher shortage.
Q: Who is behind the test?
A: Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s public schools superintendent, is behind the implementation of the test.
Q: What is the reaction from educators and politicians?
A: The test has been criticized by educators and politicians, including the American Federation of Teachers and the Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman.
