• Oklahoma mandates a certification exam for teachers from California and New York.
• The exam is designed to prevent the spread of "radical leftist ideology".
• Critics label it a "MAGA loyalty test", warning of its partisan implications.
• PragerU, a conservative nonprofit, is overseeing the test's implementation.
• State officials emphasize this policy aims to safeguard Oklahoma's educational environment.

Starting soon, Oklahoma will require teachers applying from California and New York to pass a new certification exam intended to combat what state officials deem "radical leftist ideology." According to Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's superintendent of public schools, "as long as I am superintendent, Oklahoma classrooms will be safeguarded from the radical leftist ideology fostered in places like California and New York" according to CBS News and The Hill.

The examination will be administered by PragerU, a conservative nonprofit organization, which has been criticized for its role in shaping educational content. Critics argue that the test functions as a "MAGA loyalty test," potentially undermining the objectivity and independence of educators. Marissa Streit, CEO of PragerU, has stated that portions of the assessment are intended to address issues related to "undoing the damage of gender ideology," highlighting the ideological underpinnings of the test, according to India Times and CBS News.

The exact content of the full 50-question exam has not been disclosed, but initial questions released include inquiries about the first three words of the U.S. Constitution and the significance of freedom of religion in American identity. This approach signifies a shift in Oklahoma's educational policy, embedding conservative narratives within its certification processes. Jonathan Zimmerman, a history of education professor, described this move as a "watershed moment," indicating that PragerU is now positioned as a "gatekeeper" for teacher certification in the state, according to CBS News and The Hill.

Opposition voices, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have criticized this testing requirement as detrimental to attracting quality educators amidst a significant teacher shortage in Oklahoma. AFT President Randi Weingarten condemned the initiative as political maneuvering rather than a genuine educational effort, calling it a "MAGA loyalty test." Furthermore, state Democratic Party Chairman John Waldron described the policy as "political posturing" that undermines the seriousness of attracting skilled teachers, believing this marks a troubling trend in educational policy, as articulated in various statements across the sources India Times, CBS News, and The Hill.