Overview

• Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters said the test, dubbed “America First,” is intended to keep “radical leftist ideology” out of classrooms.
• The roughly 50-question multiple-choice exam includes items on biological sex chromosomes, freedom of religion, U.S. history and civics, with reporting that some questions reference false 2020 election fraud claims.
• Developed with PragerU and administered by the group, the assessment is finalized and will begin rolling out very soon, according to the state education department.
• CNN has reported that applicants who fail would not receive an Oklahoma teaching certificate for that school year, and Walters has said the requirement could later extend to as many as eight states.
• The American Federation of Teachers and the Oklahoma Education Association criticized the plan as a political litmus test likely to discourage applicants, even as the state offers bonuses up to $50,000 to recruit teachers.