Former Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters is no longer in office, but his impact on the state’s schools is still being felt. His successor, Lindel Fields, has begun reversing Walters’ controversial policies, including the mandatory presence of Trump Bibles in classrooms and the requirement for teachers to take a PragerU-developed “woke test.” Fields clarified that Bibles are still accessible to students through various means, and the America First test is not a teacher certification requirement. Furthermore, the new superintendent is reviewing some state testing and social studies curriculum standards implemented during Walters’ tenure.
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Oklahoma’s new education head, Lindel Fields, has removed the unconstitutional requirement for schools to teach Bible-based social studies lessons, a policy implemented by his predecessor, Ryan Walters. This decision follows a state Supreme Court ruling that deemed the initial requirement unlawful due to its violation of state policy-making rules and the First Amendment. Prior to leaving office, Walters sought to purchase Bibles for schools and initiated controversial curriculum changes promoting inaccurate historical narratives and the inclusion of right-wing propaganda. Furthermore, the state is considering rescinding other policies implemented by Walters, including the partnership with PragerU and the mandated inclusion of politically charged statements in social studies texts, as well as investigating the Department of Education’s finances during his tenure.
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To ensure teachers from states like California and New York are not promoting “woke” ideologies, PragerU and the Oklahoma State Department of Education have developed a 34-question assessment. This test covers topics ranging from presidential history and Supreme Court decisions to gender identity. According to State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the assessment aims to protect Oklahoma classrooms from “radical leftist ideology.” Passing the test leads to a PragerU Teacher Certificate, signifying a commitment to traditional values.
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Oklahoma now requires teachers from California and New York to pass a 34-question “America First” certification test developed with PragerU. State Superintendent Ryan Walters asserts the exam protects Oklahoma classrooms from “radical leftist ideology” by ensuring teachers reflect “American values.” The test includes questions on civics, history, gender, and identity, and critics view it as a political loyalty test, potentially worsening the teacher shortage. The initiative, which has already garnered interest from other states, has been met with warnings from opponents who fear the impact on recruitment.
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OK Rep. defends history cartoon claiming slavery was ‘better than being killed’ is a truly disheartening headline, isn’t it? It’s the kind of statement that makes you question the very foundations of historical understanding and basic human decency. The fact that a public official would defend a narrative that frames slavery as a preferable outcome is not just wrong, it’s a profound betrayal of the values this nation claims to hold.
It appears this defense stems from a cartoon series aimed at children, a partnership between the Oklahoma State Department of Education and PragerU. This is particularly concerning, given the influence such content can have on young, impressionable minds.… Continue reading
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s impending shutdown, due to a congressional funding clawback, threatens local PBS and NPR stations. Simultaneously, the White House has partnered with PragerU, a conservative media organization, for its Founders Museum exhibit. PragerU’s educational videos, which have garnered millions of social media followers, offer a right-leaning perspective. This partnership with the White House and similar partnerships with numerous states demonstrate a strategy to disseminate PragerU’s content to a wider audience and potentially counter what they see as liberal biases in education.
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The recent GOP-led budget cuts, backed by Donald Trump, threaten to significantly reduce funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, jeopardizing educational programming on PBS. This move opens the door for right-wing organizations like PragerU to fill the void, which openly aims to indoctrinate children with conservative ideologies. PragerU is already gaining traction by partnering with states to produce educational materials and is even being promoted by the White House, suggesting a shift in support away from PBS and towards conservative-leaning content. This raises concerns about the future of children’s educational content and the potential for increased political influence in the classroom.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood