Education (Testing & Assessment)

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 1394: Teacher certification; competency examination; exception; effective date; emergency.

HB 1394 amends Oklahoma's teacher certification rules to exempt graduates of Oklahoma Commission-approved teacher preparation programs from passing the competency exam for standard certification. It also allows non-native English speakers employed in foreign language immersion programs to take the exam in their native language, with restrictions limiting such teachers to those specific programs. Additionally, the bill creates an exception for teachers with advanced degrees in substantially comparable fields, allowing them to bypass certain subject-area exams. These changes directly affect teacher candidates, school districts hiring educators, and the Oklahoma Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts approved program graduates from competency exam, easing certification barriers. Supports teacher access and program flexibility within oversight framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 2950: Postsecondary education; prohibiting institutions from having differentiated standardized test score requirements for certain students; removing certain differentiated grade point average and test score requirements; effective date; emergency.

HB 2950 requires Oklahoma public universities, colleges, and career technology schools to treat homeschool graduates equally with public and private school graduates regarding standardized test score requirements for admission, scholarships, and program eligibility. It prohibits institutions from setting higher minimum ACT, SAT, or equivalent test score thresholds for homeschoolers than those applied to other students. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and State Board of Career and Technology Education must ensure compliance and develop necessary rules. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires equal treatment of homeschool graduates in higher education admissions and scholarships, expanding access to postsecondary opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1271: Strong Readers Act; requiring retention of certain third-grade students; directing certain intervention services to be provided to certain students. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1271 requires Oklahoma public schools to retain third-grade students who do not meet statewide reading assessment targets on certain standardized tests, unless they qualify for limited exemptions (such as being English learners with less than one year in an English-learner program or having specific disabilities). It mandates schools provide intensive, research-based reading intervention services - including personalized plans, additional instructional time, and high-quality materials - before retention decisions. The bill also updates funding allocations for summer reading programs and requires school districts to report on student progress annually. Effective immediately as an emergency measure, the law aims to address reading proficiency gaps in early grades.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates reading interventions for third graders not meeting standards, requiring personalized plans and additional instruction to strengthen literacy outcomes in K-12 education.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1998: Schools; requiring parent permission to administer certain curriculum and surveys to students; effective date; emergency.

HB 1998 requires Oklahoma public schools to obtain written parental permission before students can participate in sex education classes or materials focused on sexual behavior/attitudes, and before administering surveys about sexual behavior. Schools must provide parents with prior written notice about these materials and surveys, including the option to opt their child out. The bill specifically applies to the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey (which covers mental health, substance use, and related issues) and all sex education programs for students in grades 6-12. This law directly affects parents/guardians, students, and school districts by changing consent requirements for specific curricula and surveys.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts sex education curriculum access by mandating parental consent, limiting school autonomy in instructional content per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1742: Schools; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; website requirements; effective date.

HB 1742 creates a tax credit program allowing Oklahoma taxpayers to claim credits for qualified education expenses paid for eligible students. The credit amount varies by household income (ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 annually) and covers tuition at accredited private schools, tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees. Eligible students include those attending accredited private schools or receiving education through approved alternative methods. Parents must submit receipts to the Oklahoma Tax Commission to claim the credit, which can be refunded if it exceeds their tax liability. This bill directly affects Oklahoma parents/guardians paying for qualifying education costs for their children.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit program for education expenses, providing tax relief to qualifying households per income tiers, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credits for private school tuition, tutoring, and educational expenses, expanding parental choice and access to education funding through direct financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 30, 2025

HB 1287: Schools; authorizing the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma to create a math tutoring pilot program for certain students; effective date; emergency.

HB 1287 authorizes the University of Oklahoma's Board of Regents to create a high-dosage math tutoring pilot program for ninth-grade students who scored lowest on Oklahoma's eighth-grade math assessment. The program targets public high schools in districts with 30,000+ enrolled students and public charter schools. It requires the University of Oklahoma's College of Education to administer the tutoring, focusing on intensive, frequent support for struggling math students. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause allowing immediate implementation upon approval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes high-dosage math tutoring pilot for struggling students, strengthening academic support in targeted schools per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

died · Oklahoma · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 1395: Schools; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; website requirements; effective date.

HB 1395 creates a tax credit program for Oklahoma parents or guardians paying eligible education costs for students. It allows taxpayers to claim credits of up to $7,500 annually (based on family income) for private school tuition, academic tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees for students attending accredited private schools or alternative education programs. The credit amount decreases as household income rises, with special provisions for schools serving homeless students or financially disadvantaged students (requiring 90% of enrollment to qualify based on income thresholds). This bill directly affects Oklahoma families choosing private education or alternative learning options, reducing their state income tax liability for qualifying education expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via credits for education expenses, decreasing tax burden for lower/middle income families per bill's income-based credit structure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credits for private school expenses, expanding parental educational choice and access for K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 1366: State Department of Education; directing the Department to establish the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1366 establishes Oklahoma's High Dosage Tutoring Program for K-8 students needing academic support in math or English language arts. The program requires schools to provide in-person tutoring (3 one-hour sessions weekly for 10-12 weeks per semester) and prioritizes districts designated for federal improvement under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Tutors earn bonuses based on student progress - $1,600 per cohort per semester and $1,000 per student achieving half a grade level of growth annually - with conditional participation if growth targets aren't met. The program is funded through the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund, mandates parental consent for student participation, and requires schools to report student assessment data to the State Department of Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for tutor bonuses ($1,600/cohort, $1,000/student) to establish a funded education program, directly increasing government spending on public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes funded tutoring program for K-8 students in math/ELA, prioritizes underperforming districts, and provides tutor bonuses for student progress - directly advancing academic support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 1758: Virtual charter schools; allowing statewide virtual charter schools that reach certain assessment achievements to receive additional funds for certain expenses; effective date; emergency.

HB 1758 would provide Oklahoma virtual charter schools with $100,000 annually if their academic performance is within 10 points of the state average on the Oklahoma State Report Card. Schools meeting this threshold could use the funds for facility costs, student testing, transportation, or student services. Funding is based on academic data from two years prior (e.g., 2022-2023 scores determine 2025 funding) and is in addition to existing district funding. The bill requires available state funds and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $100,000 annually to virtual charter schools meeting academic thresholds, increasing state funding for education services through targeted budgetary appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $100k/year to virtual charter schools meeting performance targets for facility/testing costs, increasing funding beyond existing district allocations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Testing & Assessment

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died · Oklahoma · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 1255: Schools; statewide system of student assessments; directing assessments to be administered to certain private school and homeschool students; effective date; emergency.

HB 1255 requires students attending accredited private schools or using the Parental Choice Tax Credit for homeschooling to take Oklahoma's standardized tests starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Taxpayers who claim the tax credit must repay it to the state if their child declines the required assessments. This expands existing public school testing requirements to cover these specific private and homeschool students. The law mandates testing at state-certified facilities during designated windows and ensures alignment with Oklahoma's academic standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands standardized testing requirements to private/homeschool students, strengthening statewide assessment accountability within education policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice Testing & Assessment

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