by Written by Christopher Rhodes for Blavity (https://blavity.com/).
The conservative curriculum that Republican officials in Oklahoma have imposed on the state’s public schools has drawn criticism for promoting conspiracy theories and Republican talking points. In an effort to address its teacher shortage, Oklahoma plans to administer an ideological test to teachers from two of the most populous states in the union. Teachers must pass the test based on conservative ideology and views in order to be allowed to teach in Oklahoma.
New York and California teachers face an ideological test to teach in Oklahoma
In an interview with USA Today, Ryan Walters, the superintendent of Oklahoma State, talked about the new standards. In order to teach in Oklahoma, educators from California or New York will need to earn what Walters refers to as an America First certification. The teachers would have to show that they comprehend the biological distinctions between men and women and support theories of voting fraud, which President Donald Trump has made repeatedly without supporting data. It may someday be necessary for teachers from other states to pass the certification exam, Walters said. To ensure that teachers are not entering our schools and brainwashing children, Oklahoma is beginning the process of weeding out educators who are teaching things that are contrary to our principles, starting with the two largest Democratic-led states in the nation, New York and California.
Controversial curriculum under GOP-led government
The new materials for America First teacher certification are in line with the educational requirements put in place by Walters and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. The new curriculum eliminates content about George Floyd and Black Lives Matter and incorporates a conspiracy idea that the COVID-19 outbreak was caused by a lab leak. Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation and widely regarded as the creator of Project 2025, was a member of the committee that created the contentious curriculum. The committee also includes Dennis Prager, host of the conservative talk program, whose outfit, PragerU, has produced conservative educational materials that minimize slavery and is involved in the creation of Oklahoma’s America First teacher certification.
Republican efforts to shape education despite performance and recruitment issues
Oklahoma is one of several Republican-led states, such as
Texas
and
Florida
, that in recent years have injected right-wing beliefs into state curricula while removing material relating to race, racism and minority experiences. The moves in Oklahoma come as the Trump administration seeks to dismantle the
Department of Education
, which would limit federal oversight and federal funding for state-level education. While many conservatives have applauded Oklahoma s new requirements, critics note that the state ranks near the bottom in
educational quality
. Oklahoma has one of the worst educational systems in America. Yet these is the focus, one person tweeted. Conservatives have lost the plot.
The educational system of Oklahoma is among the poorest in the country. However, these are the main focus. The conservatives have lost their way.August 18, 2025: https://t.co/khTd0n9U4zPapi’s Home (@BodyguardD93)
The Republican-led administration appears committed to screening prospective teachers for their political and social views, even while Oklahoma struggles to achieve educational requirements and attract instructors to cover shortages. The state may find it more difficult to fill its instructor shortage as a result of the additional standards for teachers. The conservative principles that Oklahoma’s political leaders wish to instill in their children will likewise be strengthened by the standards.
