Education

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3488: Schools; Student Secular Bill of Rights; stating public school student rights related to religious and secular practice on school grounds; definitions; violations; compliance; effective date; emergency.

HB 3488, the "Student Secular Bill of Rights," establishes specific rights for public school students in Oklahoma regarding religious and secular practices. It guarantees students the right to practice or refrain from religion on school grounds or at school events (if orderly), prohibits school-sponsored religious activities (including staff-led prayer, religious displays like the Ten Commandments, or required religious texts), and protects academic study of religion when conducted objectively. The bill also requires schools to provide reasonable accommodations for religious observances, dietary needs, or grooming practices. It applies to all public K-12 schools, including charter schools, and defines key terms like "coerce" and "religious activity" to clarify boundaries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees student religious freedom, prohibits school-sponsored religious activities, protects objective academic study of religion in K-12 settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

died · Oklahoma · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 4172: Appropriation; School Security Revolving Fund; amount; purpose; effective date; emergency.

HB 4172 appropriates $50 million from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the School Security Revolving Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds will support school resource officer programs under existing law (Section 5-148.1 of Title 70). This bill directly affects Oklahoma public schools by providing dedicated funding for security personnel, effective July 1, 2026. The bill is procedural, allocating existing funds without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $50M from General Revenue to fund school security programs, directly advancing public service funding within state budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $50M for school security personnel under K-12 education funding, directly supporting school safety infrastructure and student protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue School Safety

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 4273: Income tax; definition; employees; aerospace; higher education; effective date.

HB 4273 creates an income tax credit for Oklahoma employees working in the aerospace sector who hold ABET-accredited engineering degrees or are licensed Professional Engineers. It defines "qualified employees" as individuals with such credentials working for "qualified employers" (aerospace businesses or higher education institutions with dedicated aerospace research programs). The credit applies to tuition paid for qualifying engineering programs and is limited to five years per person. This policy directly affects aerospace workers and employers in Oklahoma's aerospace industry by reducing their state income tax liability. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for aerospace employees with engineering credentials, reducing taxable income - direct tax relief aligning with fiscal support indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax credit for tuition in ABET-accredited engineering programs, directly supporting higher education access and enrollment for aerospace sector employees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 1437: Schools; creating the Donald J. Trump Physical Fitness Act. Effective date.

SB 1437 requires Oklahoma school districts to administer the Presidential Fitness Test starting in the 2026-2027 school year, using guidelines established by the State Department of Education. These guidelines must include staff training, exemptions for students with disabilities or medical conditions, and a parent opt-out option. School districts must use test results to promote physical activity, adjust fitness programs, and encourage participation in exercise both at school and in the community. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directs the guidelines to align with recommendations from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates fitness testing to promote student physical activity, aligning with school health programs and enhancing student wellness initiatives under K-12 education.85% confidence

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1898: Higher education; directing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to select certain institutions of higher education to establish Centers for Civic Engagement. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1898 directs Oklahoma's State Regents for Higher Education to select one comprehensive, one regional, and one two-year public college to establish Centers for Civic Engagement. These centers will focus on civic education through activities like hosting nonpartisan forums, offering supplemental instruction in political science and American government, and fostering civil dialogue on civic issues. The bill requires the State Regents to submit a report by July 1, 2029, detailing student/faculty engagement, center activities, and recommendations for improvement. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates civic engagement centers at higher ed institutions to enhance civic education through forums and political science instruction, directly advancing student educational programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4156: Teachers; employment contracts; job description and duties category; prohibiting certain provisions; permitting compensated additional duties outside of contract hours; effective date; emergency.

HB 4156 requires Oklahoma public school districts to include specific, clear categories in teacher employment contracts, such as detailed job descriptions, guaranteed 30-minute duty-free lunch breaks, and itemized salary and benefit breakdowns. It prohibits contracts from containing vague phrases like "all other duties as assigned" or requiring uncompensated work outside scheduled hours, while allowing compensated additional duties outside contract time. The law directly affects K-12 teachers in Oklahoma public school districts by mandating transparency in their contracts and compensation. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all new and renewed contracts starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits vague 'all other duties' clauses, mandates clear job descriptions/salary breakdowns, guarantees duty-free lunch, and requires compensation for extra duties - directly strengthening teacher employment conditions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates clear job descriptions, 30-min duty-free breaks, prohibits uncompensated work outside hours - strengthens teacher employment rights95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Teachers

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 1432: Teachers; removing reference to pilot status of new and innovative pathways toward teacher certification; removing sunset date. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1432 removes the temporary "pilot program" designation and the July 1, 2026 sunset date from Oklahoma's alternative teacher certification pathways. This permanent change affects teacher certification providers and candidates who use non-traditional routes to become licensed educators. The bill amends Oklahoma law to make these innovative certification programs permanent, eliminating the requirement for annual reapproval and the expiration date. It ensures providers offering these pathways no longer need to operate under temporary status, streamlining the process for educators seeking certification through alternative routes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves temporary barriers for alternative teacher certification pathways, permanently supporting educator workforce development and access to non-traditional teaching routes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

vetoed · Oklahoma · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 3006: Schools; Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education; sunset; effective date; emergency.

HB 3006 extends the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education's existence until July 2027 (from 2026), continuing a body that advises on Native American student education. The council, composed of 18 members including tribal representatives, educators, and state education officials, must analyze data on Native American student outcomes and make annual reports to the State Board of Education. It focuses on identifying strategies to improve communication between tribes, schools, and education entities, and developing measurable criteria to assess educational success for Native American students. This bill directly affects Oklahoma’s public education system in how it addresses the needs of Native American students statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends advisory council focused on improving Native American student outcomes through data analysis and tribal-school collaboration, strengthening educational support for this group.85% confidence

Tags Tribal Nations

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2045: Schools; Grow Your Own Educator Program; eligible school district; funds; alternative certification pathway. Emergency.

SB 2045 requires public elementary schools serving full-day pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess as a condition of state accreditation. This applies to all students in those grades, with recess allowed to be split into segments and required to occur outdoors when weather and conditions permit. The bill removes previous recommendations about recess and instead mandates it as a distinct requirement separate from the existing 60-minute weekly physical education requirement. Schools must comply by July 1, 2026, or risk losing accreditation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates daily recess as a state accreditation requirement, directly enhancing student well-being and physical activity programs in K-5 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 1726: Higher education; directing certain institutions of higher education to establish certain training program for graduate instructors. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1726 requires Oklahoma public universities to create mandatory training programs for graduate students serving as primary instructors in undergraduate courses. The training must cover teaching methods, classroom management, grading, student accommodations, academic integrity, and specific protections for student speech under the First Amendment - ensuring students aren't penalized for lawful expression. It applies to all institutions within Oklahoma's State System of Higher Education and takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill was designated an emergency to expedite implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates instructor training on teaching methods, academic integrity, and student speech protections, strengthening educational quality and academic freedom in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education