Oklahoma is set to become the first state mandating educators from liberal states to take a new certification test aligned with its curriculum standards.
State manager Ryan Walters announced plans to introduce this test next week, aimed at teachers relocating from “Blue States.” He noted that Oklahoma offers substantial incentives, like a $50,000 signing bonus for the top 10% of teachers, especially those leaving unions in other states.
Walters mentioned collaborating with Pragel, a conservative think tank, to formulate the test. Dubbed the “America First” test, it will include questions regarding American history, citizenship, and perhaps some common-sense queries.
Interestingly, Oklahoma is the only state currently working with Pragel on such initiatives. Walters highlighted past collaborations that focused on teaching history with an emphasis on American exceptionalism.
“We’ve returned the Bible to its historical context,” Walters commented.
Maine, California, and New York were identified by Walters as states with educational standards that clash with Oklahoma’s approach.
He expressed a desire to ensure that new teachers are not only competent but also free from what he referred to as “social justice warriors” in the classroom.
Walters pointed out California Governor Gavin Newsom as a significant influence regarding national policies on gender ideology.
The California Department of Education promotes guidance aimed at combating harmful gender stereotypes and ensuring comprehensive education on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“I don’t think this is a subtle infiltration into schools. When you look at Maine’s actions against Trump, it’s clear, every county in Oklahoma supported him,” Walters declared.
Maine has pushed back against Trump’s executive order, which called for schools to only recognize two genders and prevent biological boys from competing in women’s sports.
Walters has stated that his team monitors educational training and testing programs closely, particularly regarding California’s policies, claiming that they need to protect students from extreme left ideologies.
“It’s our mission to counteract the damage done by these trends, providing educators with quality resources and holding them accountable for student welfare. While we don’t enforce our materials, we encourage the use of sound, patriotic content as a viable alternative,” a spokesperson remarked.
There have been legal challenges against Walters’ proposals, with questions about whether the test requires board approval. One of his colleagues, Ryan Dessrage, demanded documentation to confirm this.
Board member Chris Van Dehende expressed his concerns about the necessity of such a test, referencing a contract obligation for educators to adhere to Oklahoma’s standards.
Walters didn’t hold back, calling Van Dehende a “teachers’ union puppet.”
“We’ve had to face people in our state who just repeat NEA misinformation. This is the situation we’re dealing with. Indoctrination in our children is more pronounced than ever,” he added.
Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to both Newsom and Van Dehende for their perspectives.
