Oklahoma’s Education System Under Siege by Conservative Ideological Control
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Oklahoma is rapidly becoming a focal point in a national battle over the direction of public education, as conservative forces push for increased control over curriculum and teacher qualifications. Recent developments in the state, including the implementation of an ideological “loyalty test” for teachers and the adoption of a heavily curated Bible-based curriculum, are raising alarms among educators and civil rights advocates.
“America First” Test Sparks Outrage
At the end of August, Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s superintendent of public education, unveiled an “America First Test” for all teachers, particularly those relocating from states like New York and California. This examination, developed with his consultants, does not assess teaching skills but rather seeks to gauge ideological alignment with conservative politics and Christian nationalism. The 50-question test probes candidates’ views on issues such as the importance of freedom of religion, biological sex, and the purpose of education – with “a patriotic education centered on American values” presented as the correct answer.
The test’s origins are particularly concerning, as the Superintendence collaborated with PragerU, an organization known for its cartoons promoting a conservative worldview. According to reports, PragerU content downplays the horrors of slavery – with one cartoon suggesting it was a “better fate than being killed” and a necessary compromise – and presents a revisionist history of Indigenous peoples and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. One analyst noted that PragerU explicitly aims to be “a free alternative to the dominant tendency of the extreme left in culture, media and education.”
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has condemned the test as a “loyalty examination” akin to those used during the McCarthy era, arguing it infringes upon teachers’ personal beliefs and political ideas. “This goes well beyond evaluating teaching skills,” said Randi Weingarten, leader of the AFT, criticizing Walters for prioritizing political attention over student education. Experts agree, with Jonathan Zimmerman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, calling the test “a turning point” that elevates PragerU from a supplemental resource to an integral part of the state’s education system.
Expanding Ideological Control: Monuments and Mandates
The push for ideological control extends beyond teacher qualifications. Following the recent death of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, Republican senators Shane Jett and Dana Prieto proposed legislation mandating that all public universities in Oklahoma dedicate space to his memory. The proposed “Charlie Kirk Memorial Plaza” would feature a statue of Kirk and would be subject to state approval, with universities facing monthly fines for non-compliance. This move is particularly striking given that only 30% of US university students reportedly align with Kirk’s ideas, while 70% strongly oppose them.
Leadership Shift, Continued Agenda
In a recent development, Ryan Walters resigned from his position as Superintendent of Public Education to lead the Teacher Freedom Association, a conservative professors’ group. He will be replaced by current Governor Kevin Stitt in early October. While the state’s Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, expressed satisfaction with the change – noting Walters’ focus on ideological battles over teaching quality – the shift may not represent a setback for conservative forces. Walters has vowed to continue his work through the Teacher Freedom Association, aiming to “destroy the unions of teachers who use money and power to corrupt the educational system.”
His organization plans to offer alternative training and curricula aligned with conservative ideology. Already, Walters’ influence is evident in the distribution of a new mandatory teaching material to all Oklahoma public schools: The Bible God Bless the United States, which includes the US Constitution but omits amendments 11 through 27. This means students will no longer learn about the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women’s suffrage, or the 22nd Amendment limiting presidential terms – a move critics decry as a step towards enshrining white supremacist ideals within the education system.
The unfolding situation in Oklahoma represents a significant escalation in the national debate over education, raising fundamental questions about academic freedom, historical accuracy, and the role of public schools in a diverse democracy.
