Oklahoma to Require Teachers from "Woke" States to Pass PragerU-Backed Ideological Test

The Oklahoma State Department of Education has unveiled a controversial new requirement for teachers relocating from states labeled as having "progressive education policies." Effective before the start of the upcoming school year, educators from states such as California and New York must pass an ideological assessment developed with right-wing media organization PragerU to receive a teaching certificate in Oklahoma .

According to State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the assessment aims to ensure that teachers align with Oklahoma’s "America First" approach to education, which prioritizes traditional values and what Walters calls "truth and patriotism." Walters asserts the policy will safeguard Oklahoma classrooms from what he characterizes as "radical leftist ideology" and divisive educational trends purportedly fostered in other states .

The new assessment will evaluate teacher candidates’ knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, understanding of American exceptionalism, and their grasp of what the Department refers to as the "fundamental biological differences between boys and girls" . Although Superintendent Walters did not specify all states affected by the mandate, he explicitly cited California and New York as examples .

Despite the assessment still being in development, Walters has stated that it will be implemented before the start of the school year, a timeline that has raised concerns given that most schools have already completed hiring for the upcoming academic term .

LGBTQ+ advocates, educators, and some state lawmakers are expressing alarm over the implications of the new policy. Critics argue that the test’s emphasis on "fundamental biological differences between boys and girls" effectively targets transgender-inclusive teaching and could create a chilling effect for teachers who support LGBTQ+ students .

Advocacy groups warn that the policy may contribute to an unsafe and exclusionary environment for transgender and nonbinary youth in Oklahoma schools, who already face elevated risks of bullying and discrimination. The Human Rights Campaign and other organizations have highlighted the negative impact such measures can have on LGBTQ+ students’ mental health, academic outcomes, and overall well-being .

Educators also point to the state’s ongoing teacher shortage and question whether adding ideological hurdles for out-of-state candidates will exacerbate staffing challenges, undermining efforts to provide quality education . “We don’t need political tests to decide whether they can teach a classroom. We’re getting in the way of them effectively educating our children,” said one state representative .

The partnership with PragerU—a media organization known for producing conservative educational content and for being at the center of recent debates over classroom materials—has intensified scrutiny. PragerU CEO Marissa Streit has publicly praised the initiative, stating it will "stop extreme leftist ideologies from harming children and ensure teachers champion America’s greatness and future potential" .

Superintendent Walters has connected the policy to the Trump administration’s "America First" agenda, further situating Oklahoma’s actions within a national movement to restrict what its proponents describe as "woke" or "radical" curricula, particularly when it comes to gender identity, race, and American history .

The rollout of the ideological test comes as Oklahoma educators, families, and advocacy organizations brace for potential legal challenges. Opponents argue that the policy may violate constitutional protections for free speech and equal treatment, and could be subject to litigation if implemented as described.

In the meantime, the announcement has sparked debate not only within Oklahoma but nationally, as other states watch closely to see whether similar measures might be adopted elsewhere. For LGBTQ+ students, families, and allies, the development underscores the ongoing struggle over the role of gender, sexuality, and identity in public education—a battle that continues to shape classrooms and communities across the country.