Proposed admin rule affecting teachers

Dear Editor,

Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education have approved several new administrative rules that require final approval by the Legislature. One of these rules, according to Oklahoma.gov/education, is ‘Teachers will be required to take a written test based on the U.S. Naturalization Test. This insures Oklahoma educators have a strong understanding of the principles that form the foundation of our nation.’ The Civics Questions for the Naturalization Test, as printed at www.uscis.gov, are 100 questions, up to 10 of which are chosen by an examiner for each applicant’s oral test. Answering six of them correctly results in passing the test.

There is no mention in the administrative rule about what the teacher’s test will actually consist of, who will develop it, how it will be administered and any consequences resulting from failing the test. Choosing which of the 100 questions in the Naturalization Test on which to base the teacher’s test will be a challenge. For example, here are 10 of the numbered questions and the answers preferred by the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

• #1 What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution.

• #10 What is freedom of religion? You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

• #12 What is the “rule of law”? Everyone must follow the law- leaders must obey the law – Government must obey the law – No one is above the law.

• #24 Who does a U.S. Senator represent? All people of the state.

• #55 What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? Vote- give an elected official your opinion on an issue; publicly support or oppose an issue or policy; write to a newspaper (and six more).

• #58 What is one reason colonists came to America? Escape persecution (and five more).

• #59 Who lived in America before Europeans arrived? Native Americans.

• #60 What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? People from Africa

• #72 Name one problem that led to the Civil War. Slavery – economic reasons – state’s rights.

• #87 Name one American Indian tribe in the United States (from a list of 22 federally recognized tribes).

Requiring a new test for educators who are already certified to teach will cost tax payers dollars that could be spent on other educational resources and will require educators to spend time that would be better invested in the job they are hired to do.

If the Legislature does approve the new administrative rule, I believe the same test developed for teachers should be required for all elected representatives and officials with their test results being made public to insure they have a strong understanding of the principles that form the foundation of our nation!

We pay their salaries, and we deserve transparency and accountability. Participate in our democracy and let your representative and senator know your feelings about this issue and any others that concern you.

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN