Oklahoma will require teachers from NY, CA to prove they back 'America First'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Aug. 17, 2025, 5:02 a.m. ET


Teachers from California and New York who want to work in Oklahoma public schools will be required to pass a certification test to prove they share the state's conservative political values. Regardless of the subject or grade they teach, they'll have to show they know "the biological differences between females and males" and that they agree with the state's American history standards, which includes elements of a conspiracy theory that the Democratic Party stole the 2020 presidential election from President Donald Trump, which fact checkers have said are false.

The state Department of Education will implement the new certification test for teachers from the two largest Democrat-led states "who are teaching things that are antithetical to our standards" to ensure newcomers "are not coming into our classrooms and indoctrinating kids," Oklahoma schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, said in an interview with USA TODAY.

Walters has dubbed the new requirement an "America First" certification, in reference to one of Trump's political slogans. Oklahoma's Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Walters, a Republican, to the helm of the state's Department of Education in September 2020 and voters then elected him for a second term in November 2022.

Oklahoma is offering teaching bonuses that go up to $50,000 to attract teachers from across the nation and has seen "a dramatic increase in teachers wanting to come to Oklahoma," Walters said. The new test is meant to ensure they weed out teachers with opposing views from the state's standards. The state, like many others, has a persisting teacher shortage. He said the test will only apply to teachers from California and New York, for now, because those states specifically teach lessons that are antithetical to those taught in Oklahoma.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/17/oklahoma-requires-blue-state-teachers-america-first-curriculum/85510568007/

---

The state, like many others, has a persisting teacher shortage.

Did their tiny pea brains ever consider WHY they have a "persisting teacher shortage"?

[AllaN01Bear]

1. hem

[walkingman]

2. The dumbing down of America continues....

Who from California or NY would ever dream of coming to Okla?

[Glaisne]

5. There are plenty of MAGA freaks

in both CA and NY. Let them leave and go live and teach in the most conservative state in the country. Better for everyone.

[Cha]

57. "Conservative" meaning Treasonous Cult

brainwashed to support a Traitor convicted of Rape, 34 counts of Felony.. falsifying records for a Porn Star's Hush money.

[muriel_volestrangler]

32. It's not dumbing down - it's submission to fascism

They have to parrot the lie from the Trumpfuhrer about the "stab-in-the-back" 2020 election he claims he won.

[RobinA]

44. This Was

my thought. "Gee, I don't need the extra $10,000 a year starting I would get in NY or CA, why don't I just go to Oklahoma to teach."

[Polybius]

49. Cost of living and much lower rent/housing prices will decimate that mere $10,000 difference

I still wouldn't move there though.

[CincyDem]

3. I'm sure there are thousands of teachers in NY and CA devastated that their life dreams to teach in OK has been dashed.

In case it’s needed.

[louis-t]

4. Yeah, good luck with that, Okra Homa.

[Cloudhopper]

6. Then NY and CA need to come up with a

"Real American Values" test, or something like it, for those coming from any red state.

And I can't believe I am even saying that, but I like Newsom's tit-for-tat response, and I'd love to see all blue states adopt that kind of pushback.

[otchmoson]

19. Probably not necessary

It's my belief that all these red states who are dumbing-down their high school curricula are pushing these youngsters to higher ed in red states with lower entry criteria. And then, as the downward spiral continues, graduates of those red state schools will not be suitable candidates for most employers except for those who consider the ability to spew misinterpreted bible scripture and MAGA loyalty as their CV highlights. And if President Pedo stays in office long enough, he'll sadly lower the standards in even our most prestigious institutions.

[reACTIONary]

41. IMHO, bad idea........viewpoint discrimination.

[Cloudhopper]

61. You are right, which is why I wrote that I can't believe I'm saying that...

But I'm really frustrated and drained watching Dems fight fire with morality. It has probably worked to slow things down, but we are still here with a dictator bent on destroying America, and I'm liking fire more and more lately.

[Angleae]

50. All they would need is a general civics test.

With questions like "Who won the 2020 presidential election?"

[MissouriDem47]

7. Typical Oklahoma Voter Response

How about those Sooners!

[Paladin]

15. Hey, get it right!

It's "How 'bout them Sooners!"

[Maxheader]

8. fuck oklahoma

all the rightwinger states do by passing those kinds of laws, drives away the good teachers and promotes the ass hats.

[tanyev]

9. Looks like Superintendent Walters managed to weasel out of the porn in his office incident.

OKLAHOMA CITY —
The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office has concluded its investigation into State Superintendent Ryan Walters, saying it's turning over its findings to the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office.

Johnson's office was asked to investigate allegations that nudity was shown on a television in his office during executive session of a State Board of Education meeting in July. Two board members reported seeing naked women on a television during the meeting.

A review found that the content seen on the television in Walters' office was identified as a movie from Samsung's free streaming service that played without anyone's knowledge. A report from House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said the Samsung TV had played the films "The Protector" (1985) followed by "The Foreigner" (2017) between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on July 24.

https://www.koco.com/article/ryan-walters-tv-nudity-oklahoma-county-sheriffs-office-investigation/65791633

[Midnight Writer]

11. These are Jackie Chan movies and I am familiar with them both. Jackie Chan DOES NOT have nudity in his films.

[mwmisses4289]

14. BS!

Kid caught with hand in cookie jar, "But I didn't do it!"

[lapfog_1]

33. if I played the most G rated movie ever made in MY OFFICE

I would be fired ( or at least have an HR "conversation" about work hours versus "personal time" ). A second incident I would likely be fired.

There are a few :questionable" scenes in The Foreigner" with an actress with her back to the camera who would appear to be nude. And another scene where a male is on top of her in bed but she is wearing a dress... no actual nudity. And nothing like what the witnesses described.

[RainCaster]

10. Oklahoma has the lowest pay in the US for teachers

Nobody wants to work in Oklahoma. The article failed to mention that.

[tableturner]

12. In other words, you can teach in Oklahoma only if you teach lies.

[Nigrum Cattus]

13. $50,000 is not enough to move to Ok

[Bayard]

16. America first

Does that mean they will cover the IMMIGRANT'S slaughter and land theft of Native tribes?

Waiting for the book burnings to begin.

[lapfog_1]

34. The book burnings never really ended there.

and in many places in the bible belt

[walkingman]

36. Book bans in the bible belt is ironic because one of the very first

book bans was William Tyndale’s English translation of the New Testament in 1524. Thousands of copies were publicly burned in 1526 on the orders of London’s Roman Catholic Church. Church authorities insisted that the Bible would be available only in Latin so that only they would be able to read and interpret it.

[Martin68]

17. If they want to work in Oklahoma, then they should sign the document and then teach the way they want to.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

18. Teachers ALL over the country should pledge..."Truth and Students come first".

See how many teachers get hired in Oklahoma.

The twit, Walters, want LOYALTY to TACO Don and MAGA to be what gets them hired for peanuts.

Teachers in Oklahoma should not have to grovel for peanuts and scraps.

[txwhitedove]

20. I grew up in Oklahoma, and this is just weird and many ways worse than Texas! Yes, i said it.

We learned about slavery, Oklahoma history from a Native American teacher, and read all the now banned books. My grandmother was a teacher. A racist, but a Democrat, and even she wouldn't like this. What has happened to people?

[BumRushDaShow]

21. It ends up being the loons who get elected/appointed in the highest front row offices in the state

and they impose the extreme agendas (often backed by a gerrymandered legislature).

In this case, Stitt appointed this idiot and Stitt is who needs to be out of office.

[Puppyjive]

22. As if there is anyone

who wants to move the that gawd awful state. Lived there while stationed there. Not friends anymore with my fellow soldiers who still live there and love Trump. The weather is horrendous, people are racist and children are not a priority. Oklahoma is disgusting, but I still have a friend there and she is liberal and gets it. She would move if she could.

[twodogsbarking]

23. Where I grew up they caled such people "nazis" .

[NewEnglandAutumn]

24. They could not pay me enough

to work in a shithole red state

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

25. I hear it's a downgrade in pay

While the cost of living may be lower in OK, I don't think that makes up the difference.

[mdbl]

26. So glad my kids are passed school ages

I feel bad for those that are still there. They definitely won't get a balanced education, at least in Oklahoma. Other weirdo red states will probably follow their lead.

[CarolinaNC]

27. Wow! So OK is saying they MUST back Donald Trump First!!!!!!!!!!

[Lovie777]

28. They don't back America first................

[Borogove]

29. Got to feel sorry for the kids in that ass-backward poor excuse for a state.

[J_William_Ryan]

30. "He said the test will only apply to teachers from California and New York, for now..."

Which is clearly illegal and un-Constitutional.

But not to worry, no teacher from California or New York will want to come to a hellhole like Oklahoma and be forced to teach rightwing disinformation and lies.

[fierywoman]

31. As someone who holds a Permanent Certificate to Teach Music from the NY State

Board of Regents, my inquiring mind would like to know what the level of the standard to teach (outside of the MAGA BS) is in Oklahoma. Do they accept teachers who don't have a 4-year college teaching degree PLUS a Masters degree in that subject?

[The Roux Comes First]

35. Or, Rather, "Cowering and Boot-licking" First, With a Little Pedophilia for Frosting

[rambler_american]

37. I'm long retired

but I would not aspire to teach in OK in any case. Not my cuppa.

[Griefbird]

38. Looks like illegal employment discrimination

the Civil Rights Act of 1991, among other things, provides monetary damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

55. Nothing is illegal when the executive branch has destroyed the apparatus to enforce the laws.

[Behind the Aegis]

39. Oh Oklahoma where the stupid comes rolling down the PLANES (yes, I know what I wrote)

This from a recent Facebook post in my feed. I have checked many of the facts, and they are current, But, I have not verified all of them!

Read ALL THE FOLLOWING FACTS. The Republicans have been the "leaders" in the state for 15 years. They have not just had a simple majority in the House and Senate, but a Supermajority.
Oklahoma has a Republican trifecta and a Republican triplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and both chambers of the state legislature.
Republicans have held ALL the important elected offices since 2010
A lot of you people just keep voting straight party for Republicans, and it is destroying Oklahoma.
Ryan Walters is just one example. He has served as the elected Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2023, and Oklahoma has fallen to the very worst State for Education
This is just one example of what the Republicans are doing to the state. We have bad roads, bad schools, bad health care, bad bridges, bad mental health care, bad gun laws, and some of the worst marijuana laws in the country. Infant deaths are also very high.
Here are some facts:
Oklahoma has unfortunately landed near the bottom in several national rankings, especially in education and academic performance. Here's a breakdown of some of the most concerning areas:
📚 Education Quality
- Overall School System: Ranked 50th out of 51 (including Washington, D.C.) in WalletHub’s 2025 study.
- Median ACT Score: Oklahoma scored 49th, with an average of 17.6, well below the national average of 19.4.
- Median SAT Score: Ranked 45th, also below national benchmarks.
- Dropout Rate: Placed 46th, indicating challenges in student retention.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Ranked 39th, suggesting larger class sizes than many other states.
📖 Academic Performance (Nation’s Report Card)
- Reading Scores:
- 8th Grade: Ranked 48th
- 4th Grade: Ranked 47th
- Math Scores:
- 8th Grade: Ranked 45th
- 4th Grade: Ranked 44th
🏈 Sports (College Football) THE ONLY ONE THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA SEEM TO CARE ABOUT.
- The Oklahoma Sooners were unranked in the 2025 USA Today Coaches Preseason Poll — a historic low not seen since 1999.
Health Care & Well-Being
- Overall Health Ranking: 47th out of 50
- Clinical Care: 46th — includes access, quality, and preventive care
- Behavioral Health: 47th — poor scores in nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and tobacco use
- Maternal Mortality: 48th — among the worst in the nation.
- Breast Cancer Mortality: 50th — dead last
- Infant Mortality: 42nd
- Suicide Rate: 46th — about 22 deaths per 100,000 people
- Medical Debt: The Highest share of residents with debt sent to collections
🏗️ Infrastructure & Environment
- Road Conditions: 26.9% rated poor — well above the national average
- Air & Water Quality: Ranked 50th — worst in the Indian Country Today
- Drinking Water Violations: Nearly 8 points per 1,000 customers — more than double the national average
- Bridges: Over 10% structurally deficient
- Dams: 449 classified as high-hazard potential
⚖️ Social & Economic Factors
Per capita personal income
Income: $64,772
Oklahoma rank: 39/50
- Social & Economic Factors: Ranked 45th — includes education, income, and community safety.
- Quality of Life: Ranked 42nd by CNBC — low scores in crime, health, and reproductive rights
- Racial Health Equity: 46th — significant disparities in outcomes and access
Despite these challenges, Oklahoma does show promise in areas like economic growth and primary care spending for seniors. But the overall picture points to systemic issues in health care access, infrastructure investment, and social equity.
LOOK AT THIS MAP RED REPRESENTS REPUBLICANS - REPUBLICANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS HAPPING IN OKLAHOMA 100%

[sakabatou]

40. "Side with our Dear Leader, or else!"

That's how I see it.

[reACTIONary]

42. Here are five sample questions, according to the article....

What are the first three words of the Constitution? A. In God We Trust B. Life, Liberty, Happiness C. The United States D. We the People
Why is freedom of religion important to America’s identity? A. It makes Christianity the national religion B. It bans all forms of public worship C. It limits religious teaching in public life D. It protects religious choice from government control
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. 435B. 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.

I don't know about the full test, but these question are laughably simplistic, and ideologically benign. If the rest of the test is like this, it makes me think this is just another performative publicity stunt designed to attract attention and pull one over on the suckers.

[Oeditpus Rex]

43. The 'United' States of America

*California and New York excluded.

I'd bet in civics classes, they teach indoctrinate that without the Electoral College, every presidential election would be decided by voters in those two states, and Repulican candidates wouldn't stand a chance.

[AverageOldGuy]

45. Just wait . . .

. . . until MS, AL, SC, NC, FL, GA, TN, LA, TX hear about this.

My native state of Mississippi likely will include not just an "America First" test, but also a "Confederacy First" test.

[jmowreader]

46. America First test...

1. Is Donald Trump a Goddamned Communist hell bent on handing this nation to Russia?
a. Yes.
b. Hell Yes.
c. You’re damn straight he is.
d. Why are you asking me stupid questions you know the answer to already? Of course he is!

[The Wizard]

47. Surprise surprise, America First

comes from the Ku Klux Klan.

[BidenRocks]

48. Ford and Lindbergh pushed this crap!

[lapucelle]

52. Isn't Superintendent Ryan Walters the guy who accidentally projected his open tab of nude women

on a TV screen behind him during a school board meeting?

Exclusive: Oklahoma Education Board members speak out about inappropriate images in Walters’ office

In an exclusive sit-down interview with News 9, three members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education are publicly sharing their accounts of a startling incident that unfolded during a closed-door meeting inside State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ office. The board members, Becky Carson, Ryan Deatherage, and Mike Tinney, allege they saw nude images playing on Walters’ office television during an executive session.

Their accounts come amid a growing political storm: Walters has called the accusations lies, claimed he has been cleared of wrongdoing, and demanded that the board members resign. The Oklahoma County Sheriff says the investigation is still in its early stages.

Q: Becky, can you describe what you saw and how it unfolded in the superintendent’s office?

Becky Carson: “We were in the middle of our executive meeting… I had noticed the TV was on when I first came in the room, but I really didn’t pay much attention… I had to make eye contact in that direction, and I was kind of in shock. I was like, ‘What am I seeing? Are those women naked?’… I kind of moved forward a little bit. And I was like, ‘No, they are fully unclothed.’”

snip=======================

Q: Becky, how did you confront Walters? What happened in the moment?

Carson: “I basically treated him like a 15-year-old son. I said, ‘What am I watching? What is on your TV? Get it off now.’ He looked at me and then turned around and said, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and stood up, picked up the remote… he goes, ‘I can’t get it off.’ And I said, ‘Get it off immediately. Get it off now.’”

https://www.news9.com/story/688a90d05255d4764a87b90c/exclusive-oklahoma-education-board-members-speak-out-about-inappropriate-images-in-walters-office

[walkingman]

53. Makes me wonder if Okla will attract teachers from Texas or vice-versa?

After all it does sound a lot like Texas State government.

This reminds me of the environment that was so prevalent in the 1950s Bible Belt.

Wow, just Wow!!

[Ilsa]

54. Maybe NY and CA should have teaching applicants

from OK take an MRI to prove they have a brain.

[Cha]

56. Hey Oklahoma Dipshits! Wake Up.. "America" is

Last on the Despot's Improve List, Brainwashed Suckers.

[Buddyzbuddy]

58. Shouldn't their first concern be, are they qualified to teach our children?

You guy's have some screwed up priorities. How can we keep our citizenry uninformed, less curious and easily manipulated? Bad schools and keep churchen'em.

[Brainfodder]

59. The line to be a poorly paid teacher in Oklahoma from those states is as long as the Epstein List after redactions?

[Rhiannon12866]

60. So much for teaching history!

When I was in school we learned all about the Civil Rights Movement, I'm guessing they won't be teaching about that, either...