Behind Oklahoma Education’s New Controversial Partnership With PragerU

The Oklahoma State Department of Education has a new educational partnership with a controversial website. State Superintendent Ryan Walters said it will improve student’s knowledge of history. However, some lawmakers are exercising caution. 

PragerU’s mission statement reads, “PragerU offers a free alternative to the dominant left-wing ideology in culture.”  

PragerU has countless videos on their website that are educational lessons. They highlight what they believe to be American values. PragerU is now a partner with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the department announced on Tuesday. 

“All these videos will be available for all the teachers in Oklahoma,” Walters said. “We think PragerU does a great job if doing that without any kind of left-wing indoctrination.”  

Walters points to left-wing indoctrination routinely as a reason to offer alternative teaching practices inside Oklahoma schools.   

“They want to push an ideology,” Walters said. “They want to push that the country’s fundamentally racist, rather than what did the founders say.”  

Representative Mickey Dollens (D-OKC) said communities should be aware of this website.   

“It gives a very one-sided version of history,” Dollens said. 

Conservative radio talk show host Dennis Prager co-founded the organization.  

“From their own admission from PragerU -- it does have a right-wing slant,” Dollens said. 

“Any curriculum that we teach our children should be unbiased and nonpartisan,” Dollens said. 

Walters said OSDE won’t require schools to use the material.   

“This is an option that’s available,” Dollens said. 

Dollens said local school leaders should do their research. 

“It should definitely be evaluated by local school boards and elected officials at the local level,” Dollens said. 

Dollens said he believes this material fits the word Walters wants to prevent. 

“That is by definition indoctrination,” Dollens said. 

Oklahoma City's superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniels emphasizes in a statement that the PragerU endorsement will not change what's happening in their classrooms. He also said "OKCPS teachers use the Oklahoma Academic Standards -- and he trusts his teachers are the experts."