Oklahoma's New Teacher Test Sparks Debate

Oklahoma is making waves with a new rule for teachers moving from California and New York. They must pass a test created by a conservative group called PragerU. The state's education chief, Ryan Walters, says this is to keep "radical leftist ideology" out of classrooms. But others see it as a "MAGA loyalty test. " The test has 50 questions. The first few ask about the U. S. Constitution and why freedom of religion is important. PragerU is known for its conservative videos on politics and economics. They aim to change minds through digital media. Critics are not happy. They say this test will make it harder to attract good teachers. Oklahoma already has a teacher shortage. The American Federation of Teachers calls it a "turnoff. " They think the state should focus on education, not politics. Some experts worry about the test's impact. Jonathan Zimmerman from the University of Pennsylvania says PragerU is now part of the state system. He thinks this is a big change. Teachers often use online resources like PragerU for lessons. But now, PragerU could decide who gets to teach. Others see the test as a political move. State Rep. John Waldron calls it "political posturing. " He says it's like a loyalty test. He thinks it shows Oklahoma isn't serious about attracting quality teachers. The debate continues. Some support the test. Others see it as a step backward. One thing is clear: Oklahoma's new rule is making people talk.