Testing Teacher Competency

In last week’s article, I discussed the failure of public school education in America, and the possible solution - School Choice. Many states have adopted the right of parents to choose what school to send their children to. Public schools, however, where the overwhelming number of students attend, are faced with serious deficiencies; one in particular is teacher competency.

The state of Oklahoma has decided to ensure that newly hired teachers would possess the requisite knowledge and skill to support this noble profession of teaching and preparing the student for the challenges of a productive life. The state in unison with Prager University have introduced the Teacher Qualification Test, which is designed to determine the applicant’s proficiency in American civics and history, the Constitution, religious and moral values and principles, and parental rights.

The Test questions had yet to be published, when a firestorm erupted. Democrats and media critics pounced and rained down their wrath on the effort, complaining it’s unfair to certain demographic groups, and reeks of “sabotage.” The state explained that parents expect those teaching their children to be informed, have a knowledge of the basics, and have the ability to instruct accordingly.

The Test is composed of 34 questions spanning a wide range of subjects. To give you an idea, following are 10 questions that I have selected, along with the multiple-choice answers. I believe every American, especially those seeking to become teachers, should be able to answer at least five of these. 

Take the test, and see how you do. 

[The correct answers can be found at the end of this article; no peeking!]

1. What is the fundamental biological distinction between males and females?
A. Height and weight
B. Blood type
C. Personal preference
D. Chromosomes and reproductive anatomy

2. Why is the distinction between male and female considered important in areas of sports and privacy?
A. For equity in minority communities
B. To preserve fairness, safety, and integrity for both sexes
C. To increase participation in sports
D. To enhance the self-esteem of transgender children

3. What are the first three words of the Constitution?
A. In God we trust 
B. We the people 
C. Life, liberty, happiness
D. The United States

4. Why is freedom of religion important to America’s identity?
A. It protects religious choice from government control
B. It makes Christianity the national religion
C. It bans all forms of public worship
D. It limits religious teaching

5. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
A. The House of Lords and the House of Commons
B. The Judiciary and the Senate
C. The Executive and the Legislative
D. The Senate and the House of Representatives

6. Who signs bills into law? 
A. The Vice-president
B. The Chief Justice
C. The President
D. The Speaker of the House

7. Which of the following are explicitly listed in the Bill of Rights?
A. Freedom of speech and religion
B. Voting and public education
C. Reproductive rights and healthcare
D. Freedom from data collection and surveillance

8. What right does the Second Amendment protect?
A. The right to hunt and fish
B. The right to arm the military
C. The right to restrict certain kinds of speech
D. The right to keep and bear arms

9. What is the supreme law of the United States?
A. Presidential executive orders
B. Laws passed by Congress and signed by the President
C. Laws passed by state legislatures and signed by state governors 
D. The Constitution

10. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
 A. July 4, 1778
 B. July 4, 1787
 C. July 4, 1776
 D.July 4, 1619
 

NUMBER/ ANSWER
1. D
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. D
6. C
7. A
8. D
9. D
10. C