Red state expresses apprehension towards Californians importing 'progressive, liberal beliefs.' Focuses on teachers as potential agents of change
In a move that has sparked controversy, Oklahoma education officials are developing a 50-question multiple choice exam for out-of-state teachers, particularly those from California and New York, to ensure they will teach to Oklahoma state standards. The test, expected to be rolled out in the next few weeks, is being developed by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and PragerU, a nonprofit advocacy group that produces videos promoting conservative views.
The exam's goal is to ensure teachers will teach to Oklahoma state standards and create good citizens. Critics, however, argue that the exam could potentially discourage educators from accepting jobs in Oklahoma and limit the diversity of ideas in the classroom.
In 2021, Oklahoma passed a bill, HB 1775, that restricts the teaching of certain concepts related to race and gender in public schools and universities. This bill, coupled with the new teacher exam, has raised concerns about the state's commitment to academic freedom and diversity of thought.
The exam will include questions about gender, civics, and American history, but Oklahoma public schools are not required to teach sex education, including gender. This has led to questions about the scope and focus of the exam.
The creation of the exam has not gone unchallenged. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit challenging what they call "unconstitutional censorship" in Oklahoma schools, a case that is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the program to lure remote workers to Tulsa, Oklahoma, has attracted hundreds of Californians in the last few years. More than 7,800 Californians have applied to the Tulsa Remote program and 539 have made the move. This influx of Californians, however, has not been without its own challenges. Montana lawmakers passed a package of bills this year that increased property taxes on people who own second homes in the state, including many Californians.
The exam's development comes at a time when some Texas politicians have adopted "Don't California my Texas" as a rallying cry and a fundraising appeal. This slogan, which reflects a broader trend of conservative states seeking to distance themselves from perceived liberal policies of states like California, seems to echo the sentiment behind the Oklahoma teacher exam.
PragerU videos have already been approved for use in schools in several states, including Oklahoma. The teaching material for the examination required for teachers from California and New York applying to teach in Oklahoma is developed by PragerU, an Oklahoma-based organization connected to the Republican Party.
Hannah Fry, a subscriber-only journalist, is one of the many journalists watching this development closely. The exam's impact on the teaching profession and the diversity of ideas in Oklahoma classrooms remains to be seen.
California's population rose slightly in 2024 after three years of decline. Whether this trend continues or not, it is clear that the relationship between Oklahoma and California, and the broader debate about the role of conservative ideology in education, is one that will continue to evolve.
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