SB 366 changes Oklahoma's charter school application process by removing the requirement for applicants to first submit proposals to the local school district. Instead, starting July 1, 2025, new charter school applications must be submitted directly to a proposed sponsor (such as a school district board, university, or approved organization). This applies to all new applications filed after July 1, 2024, streamlining the process for charter school developers. Virtual charter schools remain subject to separate submission rules with the Statewide Charter School Board. The bill updates statutory language to reflect this procedural shift.
SB 1617 amends Oklahoma law to direct the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund to cover the state’s share of additional pay for special education teachers. It requires school districts to pay 5% of base wages for special education teachers, with the state covering the remaining 5% using funds from the existing revolving fund (previously used for other teacher stipends). This policy change, effective July 1, 2026, directly affects all Oklahoma public school teachers certified in special education. The bill ensures the state’s funding obligation is met through the revolving fund rather than new appropriations, aligning with Section 13-110 of state law.
SB 1718 requires Oklahoma's State Department of Education to create the Oklahoma Principal Leadership Development Program, directly affecting new school principals (first or second year) and all certified principals. The program implements three phased requirements: starting in 2026-2027, principals must complete a professional development plan including goals for student achievement and school climate; by 2027-2028, new principals must work with certified mentors for two years; and by 2028-2029, a year-long leadership academy will be developed. Principals who complete these requirements receive $5,000 stipends beginning in 2029-2030, subject to funding availability. The bill aims to improve principal effectiveness through structured training, mentorship, and ongoing leadership development.
SB 1594 requires Oklahoma school principals to complete specific professional education on special education laws and practices, including federal/state regulations, individualized education programs (IEPs), and student discipline procedures. This applies to all principals seeking or renewing certification, except those who earned their master's degree in education administration before July 1, 2005. The bill amends existing certification rules (Section 6-189) to mandate this training as part of the principal certification requirements. It does not change other existing requirements like master's degrees or teaching experience.
SB 1292 creates the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program to provide intensive reading tutoring for prekindergarten through third-grade students. The program requires school districts to offer in-person tutoring (three one-hour sessions weekly for 10-12 weeks per semester) and prioritize districts federally designated for improvement under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Tutors earn bonuses of $1,600 per cohort per semester and $1,000 per grade level of reading growth achieved by students, with eligibility tied to students improving at least half a grade level in reading annually. Parental consent is required for student participation, and students may be removed from the program under specific circumstances like non-attendance or parental withdrawal. The program becomes effective July 1, 2026.
This bill expands Oklahoma's School Security Revolving Fund to cover additional security measures and requires annual allocations for three fiscal years. It directly affects Oklahoma public schools and the State Department of Education, which manages the fund. Key provisions include removing previous spending limits, mandating yearly fund allocations (subject to available money), and specifying that funds must be used for school resource officers, physical security upgrades (like cameras, locks, and ballistic shelters), and mental health counseling services. The bill emphasizes these funds must supplement, not replace, existing school security funding.
SB 1337 adds 90 days of unpaid paternity leave for full-time education employees (like teachers and school staff) in Oklahoma during their child's first year. It allows these employees to take leave without pay for childcare while still receiving full credit toward salary increases and retirement service time. The bill also updates existing leave-sharing programs to include paternity leave eligibility and modifies related revolving funds. This directly affects education employees seeking parental leave, with specific provisions for both maternity and paternity leave under updated statutes. The policy change takes effect immediately due to an emergency declaration.
SB 1790, the "Protected Learning Environment Act," requires Oklahoma public schools to adopt a standardized discipline system by the 2027-2028 school year. It mandates the State Department of Education to create a three-tiered discipline matrix (for minor, moderate, and serious behaviors) that ensures consistent, trauma-informed responses while complying with federal laws like IDEA and FERPA. School districts must train staff, document incidents electronically, and report annual safety data to the state, including trends in student behavior and compliance. The law directly affects all public school students, staff, and parents by standardizing consequences for disruptions (e.g., off-task behavior in Tier 1, violence in Tier 3) and requiring alternative placements for students with repeated serious infractions.
HB 1484, known as "Rain's Law," requires Oklahoma public schools to provide annual, research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6 through 12. The bill mandates that this instruction cover suicide prevention, fentanyl abuse and addiction prevention, local resource access, and health education about fentanyl use. Schools must incorporate this content into health classes, and the State Department of Education will develop curriculum standards and resources to support implementation. The law also designates a week for "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week" to align with National Red Ribbon Week, with age-appropriate instruction determined by each school district.
SB 1374, the Thrive Act, provides state funding reimbursement for school meal programs in Oklahoma. It applies to school districts with 40% or more students qualifying for free meals (based on federal eligibility criteria) that choose to participate in the federal community eligibility program. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, these districts receive tiered state reimbursements per meal: 100% for districts under 2,000 students, 90% for 2,000-10,000 students, and 80% for districts over 10,000 students. The law also requires the State Department of Education to evaluate the program’s impact every three years starting in 2028.
