For those considering becoming a teacher in Oklahoma, there’s a new test on the horizon. You’ll need to prepare a resume and references, and tackle a 34-question assessment focused on U.S. citizenship. Marissa Streit, CEO of PragerU, which created the test, along with Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s Principal of Education, discuss the intent behind it and address any criticism.
This initiative is meant to establish teacher qualifications centered around fundamental aspects of American citizenship, history, and literacy.
Prior to the release of these questions, various media outlets engaged in what some are calling a coordinated smear campaign. Many argue that it misrepresents the situation, claiming it obstructs clear understanding.
The partnership with PragerU was not about pushing any specific ideology; rather, it aimed to enhance educational standards and ensure that incoming teachers align with parental expectations in the classroom.
Parents are understandably concerned. They want teachers who can clearly identify the three branches of government, understand significant Supreme Court rulings affecting education, safeguard children’s innocence, and appreciate the value of religious freedom.
This isn’t about extremism — it’s about meeting basic educational requirements.
The media response was immediate, prioritizing critiques over facts. One can’t help but question their motivations. As Ronald Reagan once cautioned, “Freedom is only a generation away from extinction.”
If instructors lack a grasp of the basics, how can we expect them to guide the next generation in safeguarding their rights?
Many Americans are starting to recognize this issue. Students are falling behind, parents feel overlooked, and classroom discussions can get sidetracked by political agendas.
What families desire is straightforward: teachers who focus on education, not activism.
So, why is there such outrage? This test challenges a perceived dominance of certain ideologies in education. There’s a concern about who controls teacher training and qualifications, and it’s become clear that some want to keep parents and students at arm’s length. Labeling Oklahoma’s basic requirement for teacher proficiency as “extreme” says more about the critics than the test itself.
Furthermore, let’s address the allegations of biased historical narratives. Critics often dismiss content without giving it a fair chance. There are instances, like with Frederick Douglass, where direct quotes demonstrate his complex relationship with the Constitution, or the context surrounding Columbus that is misinterpreted. These aren’t distortions; rather, they represent an age-appropriate approach to conveying historical truths.
The same individuals misrepresenting educational materials are now criticising the test they haven’t even reviewed. Why? Perhaps to craft a misleading narrative that sticks in people’s minds, since sensational headlines tend to overshadow later corrections.
This issue isn’t specific to Oklahoma; it raises broader questions regarding whether education serves families or just bureaucratic interests. It encompasses accountability regarding ideologies, prioritizing parental inclusion in educational discussions, and striving for honesty amidst misinformation.
This is the challenge: the teacher qualification test. Look for yourself and examine its clarity and straightforward nature. Then consider: why are some on the left so eager to create a negative narrative before the public has a chance to assess it themselves?
Sample Test Questions
1. According to the Supreme Court case Meyer v. Nebraska (1923) and Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925), who holds the primary right to direct a child’s education?
- A. Head of the School
- B. Parents
- C. Education Committee
- D. Federal Department of Education
2. What are the basic biological differences between men and women?
- A. Height and weight
- B. Blood type
- C. Personal preferences
- D. Chromosomes and Reproductive Anatomy
3. How is a child’s biological sex typically determined?
- A. Parental Affirmation of Children’s Preferences
- B. Personal feelings
- C. Visual anatomical observations and chromosomes
- D. Online registration
4. Which chromosomal pairs determine human biological sex?
- A. AA/BB
- B. XX/XY
- C. RH/AB
- D. XE/XQ
5. Why is recognizing the difference between men and women important in contexts like sports and privacy?
- A. Equity in minority communities
- B. Maintain fairness, safety, and integrity of both sexes
- C. Increase sports participation
- D. Enhance self-esteem for transgender children
6. Should teachers express their political views in the classroom to influence student opinions?
- A. Yes, teachers also have freedom of speech and can’t leave it at the classroom door.
- B. No, becoming a teacher restricts freedom of speech.
- C. Yes, sometimes – when civil rights or social justice issues arise.
- D. No, classrooms are not appropriate for political activities.
7. What was decided in the 2025 Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor?
- A. In the U.S., gender-maintaining medical procedures are allowed.
- B. Students must recite the school’s pledge of loyalty.
- C. Religious schools must hire non-religious staff.
- D. Public schools cannot require participation in LGBTQ-themed instruction without parental opt-out.
8. What are the first three words of the Constitution?
- A. In God we trust
- B. Our People
- C. Life, liberty, happiness
- D. USA
9. Why is religious freedom significant to American identity?
- A. To protect religious choices from government interference
- B. It positions Christianity as a national religion
- C. Prohibits all forms of public worship.
- D. Limits religious teachings in public places.
10. What are the two houses of the U.S. Congress?
- A. Senate and House of Representatives
- B. Judiciary and Senate
- C. Executive and Legislative
- D. Senate and House of Representatives
11. How many U.S. Senators are there in total?
- A. 435
- B. 535
- C. 100
- D. 50
12. Why do some states have more representatives than others?
- A. Based on population
- B. Larger geographical area
- C. History of representation
- D. Determined by Congress
13. What is the primary role of the President’s Cabinet?
- A. Confirm Supreme Court Justices
- B. Pass laws
- C. Sign Executive Orders
- D. Advise the President
14. Who is responsible for signing a bill into law?
- A. Vice President
- B. Supreme Court
- C. President
- D. House Speaker
15. Which court is the highest in the United States?
- A. Federal Court
- B. Court of Appeals
- C. District Court
- D. Supreme Court
16. Which right is reserved for citizens in the United States?
- A. Serve on juries
- B. Own a home
- C. Pay taxes
- D. Hold a driver’s license
17. What is explicitly mentioned in the Bill of Rights?
- A. Freedom of speech and religion
- B. Voting and Public Education
- C. Reproductive rights and healthcare
- D. Freedom from data collection and surveillance
18. What rights does the Second Amendment protect?
- A. Hunting and fishing rights
- B. Rights related to military arms
- C. Limits on certain speech types
- D. Right to own and bear arms
19. What is the supreme law of the land in the United States?
- A. Presidential orders
- B. Laws passed by Congress and signed by the President
- C. State laws signed by governors
- D. Constitutional Law
20. Who drafted the first version of the Declaration of Independence?
- A. John Adams
- B. Thomas Jefferson
- C. John Hancock
- D. Thomas Paine
21. When was the Declaration of Independence officially adopted?
- A. July 4, 1778
- B. July 4, 1787
- C. July 4, 1776
- D. July 4, 1619
22. What were the primary reasons for settlers’ revolt against British rule?
- A. To resist the expansion of the British Empire
- B. To end slavery
- C. To oppose taxation without representation
- D. To reject forced military service
23. Who were the first three U.S. presidents?
- A. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton
- B. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson
- C. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
- D. George Washington, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln
24. Who is known as the “Father of Our Country”?
- A. Benjamin Franklin
- B. Abraham Lincoln
- C. Martin Luther King Jr.
- D. George Washington
25. What did the Emancipation Proclamation accomplish?
- A. Ended the ban on slavery
- B. Freed Confederate generals
- C. Freed Northern slaves
- D. Ended slavery in rebellious Confederate states
26. What was Abraham Lincoln’s main goal during the Civil War?
- A. To protect state rights
- B. To abolish slavery
- C. To preserve the Union
- D. To dissolve the Union
27. What was Martin Luther King Jr. advocating for?
- A. Separation
- B. Abolishing slavery
- C. Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- D. Racial equality under the law
28. How did the Cold War conclude?
- A. The U.S. triumphed in the Cuban Missile Crisis
- B. Russia faced invasion
- C. The Soviet Union collapsed
- D. Peace treaties signed by the U.S., European Union, and Soviet Union
29. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
- A. Woodrow Wilson
- B. Harry S. Truman
- C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
- D. Theodore Roosevelt
30. What is the title of the national anthem?
- A. “The Star-Spangled Banner”
- B. “America the Beautiful”
- C. “This Land is Your Land”
- D. “Blessings of God on America”
31. Why does the American flag feature 13 stripes?
- A. One for each signer of the Declaration of Independence
- B. To honor the 13th Amendment
- C. To memorialize fallen soldiers
- D. To symbolize the original colonies
32. Which national holiday commemorates those who died in U.S. military service?
- A. Armistice Day
- B. Anniversary
- C. Veterans’ Day
- D. Flag Day
33. Which phrase is part of the Pledge of Allegiance?
- A. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- B. For the people, by the people
- C. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all;
- D. One nation under God, with liberty and justice for all
34. From whom does the U.S. government derive its power?
- A. Supreme Court
- B. The People
- C. President
- D. The Army
Answers
1. B
2. D
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. D
7. D
8. B
9. A
10. D
11. C
12. A
13. D
14. C
15. D
16. A
17. A
18. D
19. D
20. B
21. C
22. C
23. B
24. D
25. D
26. C
27. D
28. C
29. C
30. A
31. D
32. C
33. D
34. B
