In recent news, Oklahoma will soon be making some mandatory requirements in education. New York and California teachers will be required to pass a test when applying for new teaching jobs in the state. Critics are calling it the Trump ‘loyalty test’ or “MAGA loyalty test.” Supporters say it safeguards the educational system to avoid ‘radical leftist ideology’ in the classroom.
The test will be generated by PragerU, an American nonprofit organization focused on creating content with heavy conservative and capitalist views.
Oklahoma is currently experiencing one of the most significant teacher shortages in the country. With over 1000 positions unfilled within the state, critics worry that by applying these requirements, the shortage will continue. Others worry that it will create a political culture war in education.
Why The Test Is Being Introduced
Ryan Walters, the public school superintendent in Oklahoma, explained in an interview with USA Today, the objective of the exam is to educate children ‘without liberal indoctrination’.
Progressive ideologies are widely associated with New York and California, which are considered ‘blue states’ because of their liberal supporters and views. Teachers from these states are being specifically targeted by Oklahoma’s education system.
“As long as I am superintendent, Oklahoma classrooms will be safeguarded from the radical leftist ideology fostered in places like California and New York,” Walters said in a statement.
What Trump’s Loyalty Test Looks Like
Many people are concerned with PragerU’s involvement in developing the exam. PragerU started as a small YouTube channel that promotes conservative views. They have since grown into a far-right media network, pushing their propaganda into classrooms and education.
Concerns have risen over their threat to the integrity of pubic schools in America, as previous reports highlight PragerU’s strong Christian nationalist agenda.
According to reports from USA Today and The Associated Press, the pro-Trump ideology test contains 50 multiple-choice questions. The questions focus on constitutional basics, religious freedom, Congress’s structure, and state representation. They also include social issues like religion, gender, and biology.
Reports say other questions on the loyalty test include:
- What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? A. House of Lords and Commons B. Courts and Senate C. Executive and Legislative D. Senate and House of Representatives
- How many U.S. Senators are there? A. 435 B. 110 C. 50 D. 100
- Why do some states have more Representatives than others? A. They cover a larger geographic area. B. They have held statehood for a longer period. C. The number is determined by military presence. D. Representation is determined by population size.
Supporters vs Critics
Supporters of Trump’s loyalty test believe the exam will protect traditional values and focus on the “America First” educational push. This will allow institutions such as ‘America First Parents’ to challenge what they consider as radical and undisclosed curriculum in public schools, particularly regarding gender identity, critical race theory, and parental rights.
Ryan Walters recently wrote on X, “These reforms will reset our classrooms back to educating our children without liberal indoctrination.”
Walter’s continues, “We’re proud to defend these standards, and we will continue to stand up for honest, pro-America education in every classroom.”
Critics believe that introducing the America First teacher exam will deter teachers from applying from New York and California. If Oklahoma is serious about addressing the teacher shortage, they wouldn’t be setting such high requirements when applying for positions.
Randi Weingarten, the President of The American Federation of Teachers, has since criticised the exam, stating, “This MAGA loyalty test will be yet another turnoff for teachers in a state already struggling with a huge shortage.”
Similar moves have occurred in other conservative states, leading concerned critics to wonder if this reflects a wider culture war in American education. Many speculate what this will mean if these requirements expand to other states in the country.
Conclusion
For supporters, this change in requirements is about safeguarding values. However, critics are concerned about what the Trump loyalty test will mean for undermining teacher recruitment.
This leaves many Americans wondering whether this will improve classrooms or drive teachers away, only worsening the current shortage.
The broader question is whether politics now turns education into a battleground, reshaping the school system and influencing the future of America’s children.
