Oklahoma has taken a significant step in the national debate over education policy by requiring teachers relocating from liberal-leaning states to complete an ‘America First’ certification test, according to state Superintendent Ryan Walters. The test, which will focus on American history, civics, and ‘common sense’ topics, is intended to ensure that educators who move to Oklahoma align with the state’s curriculum standards and values. This initiative aims to prevent what Walters describes as the spread of ‘woke’ and ‘social justice warrior’ ideologies in schools, particularly in the wake of policies in states like California and Maine that he claims are at odds with Oklahoma’s educational priorities.
Walters told Fox News Digital that the state has been a leader in providing attractive incentives for teachers, including the highest signing bonuses in the country, which have attracted educators from across the political spectrum. He emphasized that the ‘America First’ test is an additional measure to ensure that the educators who move to Oklahoma are aligned with the state’s values, particularly in a context where teachers are increasingly fleeing the influence of teachers unions in blue states. ‘We’ve seen teachers come from blue states, red states, all over to come to Oklahoma,’ he said, noting that many are seeking opportunities beyond the political and ideological constraints of their home states.
The test is being developed in partnership with the conservative think tank PragerU, which has previously worked with Oklahoma on shaping history standards. Walter’s collaboration with PragerU, which emphasizes American exceptionalism and the inclusion of the Bible in history education, has drawn attention as a key factor in the state’s educational approach. Walters cited California Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies on gender ideology as a motivating factor in the decision, pointing to California’s requirement that schools provide instruction on gender identity and the harm of negative gender stereotypes as part of the rationale for the test.
In the state board meeting, Walters faced questions from colleagues who challenged the necessity of the test. While some members questioned whether the test was required, Walters defended the measure as a way to protect students from what he described as the influence of progressive education practices. ‘We need to make sure that we’re not getting these woke, indoctrinating social justice warriors in the classroom,’ he said. The debate over the test has become a focal point in the broader national conversation about the role of education in shaping political and social values in the United States.
The initiative has also sparked discussions about the broader implications of the test, including the potential legal and administrative challenges it may face. While Walters has insisted that the test is not a mandate for all teachers, he has framed it as a way to ensure that Oklahoma’s schools remain aligned with the state’s values and priorities. As the state moves forward with implementing the test, the measure has become a symbol of the growing divide over the direction of education policy in the United States, with Oklahoma at the forefront of this contentious debate.