Oklahoma‘s New Teacher “Loyalty” Test Faces Legal Scrutiny
Oklahoma is implementing a new requirement for teachers transferring from other states, sparking concerns about constitutional violations and accusations of political bias. The state will now require teachers who have previously taught elsewhere to pass a civics test,ostensibly to ensure they possess a essential understanding of American principles. However, critics argue the test is designed to discriminate against educators from states deemed “liberal” and to filter out those with viewpoints considered undesirable by state officials.
The test’s origins and content are particularly controversial. It was developed not by a government entity or academic institution,but by PragerU,a conservative association known for its right-wing advocacy and history of First amendment challenges. This raises questions about the test’s objectivity and its alignment with established educational standards.
while the test includes basic civics questions – such as identifying the first words of the Constitution and the structure of Congress – it also delves into politically charged territory.One question specifically focuses on biological sex, asking teachers to identify the chromosome pairs that determine it. This is framed by PragerU’s CEO, Marissa Streit, as an attempt to counter “gender ideology” promoted in programs like California‘s PRISM training, which supports LGBTQ+ youth.
The initiative, spearheaded by Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters, is being justified as a means of aligning teacher training with the values of Oklahoma parents. However, legal challenges are widely anticipated. Opponents argue the test likely violates the 14th Amendment‘s Equal Protection Clause, as it appears to impose different standards on teachers based solely on their previous state of employment. Concerns about potential First Amendment violations are also being raised,particularly regarding the test’s apparent intent to screen out specific ideologies.
Moreover, the plan relies on the assumption that teachers won’t misrepresent their beliefs on the test, a questionable premise given the high stakes involved.
The implementation of this “woke test” is being viewed by many as a troubling sign for national unity and a potential overreach of state power. Legal experts suggest the test is unlikely to withstand judicial review, but its very existence underscores a growing trend of politically motivated interference in education.
keywords: assessment, education, Oklahoma, Ryan Walters, civics test, PragerU, 14th Amendment, Equal Protection, First Amendment.
