In an educational shake-up that's sure to stoke fires across both political and pedagogical lines, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is joining forces with PragerU, a conservative digital media organization, to develop an "America First" assessment for teachers moving to Oklahoma from states suspected of harboring progressive education policies. This move, announced yesterday, has been framed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters as a steadfast commitment to ensuring what he deems to be an authentic representation of American values, patriotism, and biological truths within Oklahoma's school systems.
The newly proposed assessment aims to rigorously evaluate teachers on their knowledge and adherence to principles considered non-negotiable by the OSDE; including a pointed understanding of the U.S. Constitution, a belief in American exceptionalism, and a clear grasp on the biological differences between boys and girls. In an attempt to pit so-called 'truth' against what he calls 'divisive ideologies,' Walters emphatically stated in a press release, "We’re raising a generation of patriots, not activists, and I'll fight tooth and nail to keep leftist propaganda out of our classrooms."
To enforce this new directive and uphold the 'America First' teaching standards, teachers seeking licensure in the state will have to pass this assessment, according to a news release cited by Fox News. PragerU's CEO Marissa Streit lauded the partnership between her organization and the OSDE, proclaiming that the assessment will "stop extreme leftist ideologues from harming children" and ensure that educators are champions of "America’s greatness and future potential."
Oklahoma's embracing of what appears to clearly align with the Trump administration's America First agenda has sparked a wide array of reactions, with proponents seeing it as a bulwark against what they perceive to be a tide of progressive educational policies, and opponents raising concerns about the implications for academic freedom and the politicization of education. The standards for the assessment are set to be finalized in the coming weeks, with the OSDE and PragerU working closely to quickly implement these measures, as detailed in an article by KOCO.
