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Oklahoma’s Teacher Test: Right Problem, Wrong Answer
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | October 10, 2025 | Frederick M. Hess

Posted on 10/10/2025 7:32:26 AM PDT by karpov

This summer, Oklahoma’s then-superintendent Ryan Walters announced a new test for would-be teachers from New York and California, promising that it would keep out “woke indoctrinators” from those states (and only those states). The 50-question test was developed by PragerU and covered American government, religious freedom, gender issues, and the teacher’s role.

Walters described his as a “very America-first approach,” promising, “Oklahoma classrooms will be safeguarded from the radical leftist ideology fostered in places like California and New York.” As a one-time high-school civics teacher who’s spent decades battling progressive groupthink in teacher preparation, I think Walters’ concerns are valid.

But I’ve big reservations about his solution.

For starters, Oklahoma’s test is less a measure of teaching ability or civic literacy than a quiz of rudimentary political knowledge, coupled with MAGA-aligned talking points on gender, religious liberty, and parents’ rights. The test asks how many senators there are, the names of the “two parts” of Congress, and the first three words of the U.S. Constitution. It also poses questions such as “What is the fundamental biological distinction between males and females?” (Correct answer: chromosomes and reproductive anatomy) and “Why is the distinction between male and female important in areas like sports and privacy?” (Correct answer: “to preserve fairness, safety, and integrity for both sexes”).

Checking rudimentary civic knowledge is fine, but this is a really low bar—and not an especially good way to weed out woke indoctrinators. After all, a teacher may know basic facts about Congress or biology and still be terribly woke. And ideological or ignorant teachers also hail from the other 48 states (trust me on this). Assessing all would-be teachers regarding civic knowledge and professional ethics would be a good thing. But this isn’t that.

(Excerpt) Read more at jamesgmartin.center ...


TOPICS: Education
KEYWORDS: edschool; publicschools

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1 posted on 10/10/2025 7:32:26 AM PDT by karpov
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To: karpov

When I was a kid my teachers would have all aced this test. So would all of the graduates. Now, seniors in high school can barely read, and can’t add and subtract without the calculator on their phone. The teachers think boys and girls are the same. I like the old school world better.


2 posted on 10/10/2025 7:43:43 AM PDT by Omnivore-Dan (have to )
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To: karpov

Anybody remember the Blue Books? Exam answers were essays - hand written.


3 posted on 10/10/2025 8:23:35 AM PDT by QBFimi (It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world... Tarfon)
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To: karpov

“…MAGA-aligned talking points on gender, religious liberty, and parents’ rights.”

Truth versus untruths. Who but the liars could object to that?


4 posted on 10/10/2025 8:42:45 AM PDT by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Finish the damned WALL! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH! )
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To: karpov
OTOH there's this:

Football Entrance Exam

Time Limit: 3 WKS

1. What language is spoken in France?

2. Give a dissertation on the ancient Babylonian Empire with particular reference to architecture, literature, law and social conditions -OR- give the first name of Pierre Trudeau.

3. Would you ask William Shakespeare to (a) build a bridge (b) sail the ocean (c) lead an army or (d) WRITE A PLAY

4. What religion is the Pope? (a) Jewish (b) Catholic (c) Hindu (d) Polish (e) Agnostic (check only one)

5. Metric conversion. How many feet is 0.0 meters?

6. What time is it when the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 5?

7. How many commandments was Moses given? (approximately)

8. What are people in America's far north called?

(a) Westerners (b) Southerners (c) Northerners

9. Spell -- Bush, Carter and Clinton

10. Six kings of England have been called George, the last one being George the Sixth. Name the previous five.

11. Where does rain come from? (a) Macy's (b) a 7-11 (c) Canada (d) the sky

12. Can you explain Einstein's Theory of Relativity? (a) yes (b) no

13. What are coat hangers used for?

14. The Star Spangled Banner is the National Anthem for what country?

15. Explain Le Chateliers Principle of Dynamic Equilibrium -OR-spell your name in BLOCK LETTERS.

16. Where is the basement in a three story building located?

17. Which part of America produces the most oranges? (a) New York (b) Florida (c) Canada (d) Wisconsin

18. Advanced math. If you have three apples how many apples do you have?

19. What does NBC (National Broadcasting Corp.) stand for?

20. The University of Miami tradition for efficiency began when (approximately)? (a) B.C. (b) A.D. (c) still waiting

*You must answer three or more questions correctly to qualify

5 posted on 10/10/2025 9:18:03 AM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
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