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Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2025

Did the Oklahoma State Board of Education pass a rule requiring teachers to take and pass the naturalization test?

Matthew Yim, Oklahoma Watch
yes

In January, The Oklahoma State Board of Education, headed by Superintendent Ryan Walters, approved six new administrative rules–including one that would require teachers to take a written form of the U.S. Naturalization Test. 

According to this rule, both prospective and current teachers would be required to pass a test–described as being “based solely upon” the U.S. Naturalization Test–as a prerequisite to earning or renewing their teaching certification. 

The U.S. Naturalization Test, last updated in 2008, consists of an English and civics portion.

The proposed rule contains a grandfather clause that exempts teachers certified prior to Feb 1, 1982. 

Among the rules approved with it is one that would require families to prove their citizenship or immigration status when enrolling in public school. 

In order to take effect, these rules must be approved by the legislature or the governor. 

See a full discussion of this at Oklahoma Watch

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