LAWTON, Okla. – The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is considering a new policy that would require all teachers to pass the U.S. naturalization test in order to obtain or maintain their teaching license. This proposal was announced by Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters during an OSDE meeting on January 28.
The move comes as part of a broader effort to ensure that educators are well-versed in American history, government, and civics. Walters emphasized that, just like students, teachers should have a foundational understanding of the country they teach about. “We’ve also included here as part of teacher certification that all of our teachers will be required to take the U.S. naturalization test to ensure that they understand the basics of America, American history, American government, and civics,” Walters stated.
This requirement mirrors one already in place for Oklahoma students. In 2021, state lawmakers passed legislation mandating that students must score at least 60% on the naturalization test to graduate. Now, the proposal seeks to extend that same standard to educators.
State Representative Toni Hasenbeck, who chairs the House Secondary Education Committee, supported the idea, noting that it makes sense to apply the same civic requirement to teachers. “Since it is already a requirement for students, it makes sense to extend that requirement to their educators as well,” Hasenbeck said.
Walters believes this policy could have broader benefits beyond history and government teachers. He argued that educators in subjects like English, Reading, and even Math could also benefit from a deeper understanding of American history and government, which could enrich classroom discussions and enhance students’ learning experiences. “If you’re in an English class or Reading class, you’re going to be talking about some concepts of history or people throughout the world,” Walters explained. “So, it’s great that you’re able to embed and answer those questions for folks. Even if it’s in a math class, you’re going to have word questions, things like that.”
For current teachers, Walters mentioned that the OSDE is exploring ways to include them in this process moving forward, though further details on implementation remain unclear.
The proposed policy is part of a broader educational reform effort that includes changes to history standards and other classroom mandates, such as the Bible requirement in Oklahoma schools. Walters cited feedback from parents, who expressed concerns during his campaign about the perceived lack of emphasis on American civics in schools. “Look, we heard about this on the campaign trail. This is where when I ran for office, I heard a lot of parents talk about, you know, why aren’t our kids getting a better understanding of America, American government, civics, and so we began to look into solutions to that,” Walters explained.
As the proposal moves forward, it is expected to spark further debates on its impact on teachers and the educational system. Supporters argue that the test will help foster a more patriotic and informed generation of students, while critics may raise concerns about the additional burden it could place on educators. The OSDE has not yet announced a timeline for the potential rollout of the policy, but it remains a key talking point in the ongoing conversation about educational reforms in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Proposes U.S. Naturalization Test Requirement for Teachers