Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 794: Teacher preparation; requiring certain student teaching requirements. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 794 requires Oklahoma teacher preparation programs accredited by the state's Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to provide either a minimum number of weeks of classroom practice or a job-embedded teacher apprenticeship program for teacher candidates. It directly affects all individuals training to become teachers in state-accredited programs. The law mandates the Commission to establish specific requirements through rules, with the policy taking effect July 1, 2025. The bill creates two concrete pathways for teacher candidates to gain practical experience before certification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates enhanced teacher training requirements (classroom practice/apprenticeships) to improve educator preparedness, directly strengthening teacher preparation standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 387: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology; modifying definition of eligible student. Effective date.

SB 387 updates the definition of "eligible student" for Oklahoma's STEM Intern Partnership Program, expanding eligibility to include students enrolled in technology center schools under the State Board of Career and Technology Education - previously limited to university students. This change directly affects tech center students and organizations seeking to hire them for industry internships through the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). The bill requires applicant organizations to secure 50% non-state funding for projects and ensures internships provide real-world tech experience with measurable outcomes. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, after passing the legislature and receiving gubernatorial approval in May 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands STEM internship access for tech center students, broadening educational opportunities beyond university students in OCAST program.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands STEM internship eligibility to tech center students, directly supporting tech workforce development through OCAST's program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Oklahoma · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 409: School year; requiring school to be in session for an additional day if certain appropriated amount is greater than the amount appropriated for the prior fiscal year. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 409 would require Oklahoma public school districts to add one additional day of classroom instruction starting July 1, 2025, if the state allocates at least $25 million more in funding for public schools than the previous fiscal year. This provision directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts by mandating an extra school day when specific state budget increases are met. The bill establishes a clear funding trigger ($25 million greater than prior year) as the mechanism for the requirement, with no changes to existing minimum instructional time standards (180 days or 1,080 hours). It is designed to link state education funding increases directly to expanded instructional time for students. The bill was introduced but failed passage in April 2025 (22-63 vote).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates an extra school day when state funding increases by $25M, directly linking increased funding to expanded instructional time, enhancing educational access and student learning opportunities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SB 808: Practice of physical therapy; clarifying certain exemption from referral. Effective date.

SB 808 clarifies Oklahoma's physical therapy referral rules, allowing licensed physical therapists (and assistants under supervision) to evaluate and treat patients without a doctor's referral for up to 30 days, except for workers' compensation cases. It specifically exempts children receiving physical therapy under federal special education laws (IDEA/504), screening/education services, and non-injury-related fitness/wellness programs. The bill explicitly states physical therapists cannot practice "healing arts" beyond their scope and maintains existing restrictions on non-therapeutic services. Signed into law on April 23, 2025, it takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts IDEA/504 special education services, facilitating physical therapy access for students without referral barriers.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves referral barrier for physical therapy access, improving patient access to care without expanding coverage or funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 410: Schools; requiring students beginning certain school year to complete a computer science unit to graduate with standard diploma. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 410 requires Oklahoma public high school students in grades 8-12 to complete a computer science unit to earn a standard diploma starting with the 2024-2025 school year. This replaces the previous requirement for two world language units with a new computer technology course requirement covering programming, hardware, and business applications like spreadsheets. The bill mandates that this unit must be approved for college admission and excludes basic keyboarding or typing courses. It directly affects all students pursuing standard diplomas in Oklahoma public high schools under the updated graduation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates computer science curriculum for graduation, replacing language requirements to enhance digital literacy and modernize K-12 education standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates computer science education for all high school students, advancing digital literacy and workforce readiness through required programming/hardware curriculum.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 186: Teachers; directing the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability to establish a grant program to provide grants to certain individuals seeking alternative certification. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 186 creates a grant program to help teachers with temporary emergency or provisional teaching certificates obtain permanent certification. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability will award up to 1,000 annual grants per year (first-come, first-served) to eligible teachers through their school districts. Grants cover costs for exam preparation, exam fees, and part of required professional education hours. The program is funded through a new revolving fund and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates grants covering certification costs for teachers, directly funding educator professional development to strengthen teaching quality and certification pathways.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 944: Crimes and punishments; modifying provisions and penalties related to hazing. Effective date.

SB 944 modifies Oklahoma's hazing laws to better protect students at public and private schools and colleges. It defines hazing broadly to include activities endangering physical or mental health (like forced consumption or extreme stress), prohibits all hazing by student groups, and creates new misdemeanor charges for basic hazing (up to 90 days jail or $5,000 fines) and felony charges if hazing causes serious injury or death (up to 10 years in prison or $15,000 fines). The bill also establishes the Anti-Hazing Revolving Fund for educational programs, prohibits defenses like "tradition" or "consent," and grants immunity to students who report hazing or seek medical help for hazing victims. These changes directly affect student organizations, schools, and individuals involved in hazing incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new felony charges for hazing causing injury/death, increasing penalties under criminal justice framework.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly protects students in schools/colleges from hazing, creating safer educational environments which supports student well-being and access to learning.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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