Education

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2269: Schools; amending certain subject matter standards for students of military families who have completed certain requirements; effective date; emergency.

This bill allows military-connected students in Oklahoma public schools (grades 8-12) to substitute coursework completed in prior schools for Oklahoma's history and social studies graduation requirements. Specifically, students who have taken equivalent courses elsewhere (e.g., in another state or military school) can use those credits toward the required 1/2 unit of Oklahoma History and 1/2 unit of U.S. Government. The change applies to the 2024-2025 school year and modifies existing curriculum standards under Section 11-103.6 of Oklahoma law. It directly affects military families who relocate frequently due to service.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows military students to use prior coursework for graduation requirements, expanding access without restricting curriculum or funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 411: School employees; requiring notification from law enforcement upon arrest or investigation of school employee for certain offenses. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 411 requires law enforcement to notify school districts and boards when a school employee is investigated, arrested, or charged with "offenses against students" (specifically defined as sexual offenses against students under Oklahoma law). Upon receiving this notice, school boards must immediately suspend the employee without a hearing, while preserving their pay and benefits, and prohibit them from being on school grounds during the suspension. The superintendent must also notify parents that the employee is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and mandates the State Board of Education to create implementing rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires immediate suspension of employees accused of student offenses, prioritizing student safety and protection within educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 105: Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; removing prior public school enrollment requirement; modifying eligibility requirements. Effective date. Emergency.

This bill removes a requirement that students with disabilities must have attended a public school the previous year to qualify for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program. It directly affects families seeking private school options for children with disabilities who previously needed public school enrollment history. The key change eliminates the "prior public school attendance" rule in Section 13-101.2, while maintaining other eligibility criteria like having an IEP or meeting specific exemptions (e.g., military transfers, foster care, homelessness). Private schools must still meet program standards, and scholarships remain available until the student graduates, enrolls in public school, or turns 22. The change makes the program more accessible for eligible students without prior public school enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves prior public school attendance requirement, expanding access to scholarships for students with disabilities seeking private school options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 704: Schools; directing certain online learning platform to be available to all students in the state. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 704 requires all Oklahoma public high schools to offer at least four advanced placement (AP) courses starting in the 2024-2025 school year. It mandates that school districts provide access to AP courses through options including an online platform maintained by the Statewide Charter School Board, with a focus on STEM, foreign language, and AP courses. The bill directs this online platform to be available to all students across Oklahoma school districts, eliminating barriers to course access. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and includes requirements for the State Department of Education to provide information about AP course benefits and track district implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AP course access via state platform, eliminating barriers to advanced curriculum for all students in Oklahoma public high schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires statewide online platform for AP courses, expanding digital access to all students and eliminating barriers - directly supports internet access and digital equity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Social Media

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 1336: Education; creating the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act; providing certain waivers; providing for calculation of waiver amounts. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1336 creates the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act, providing tuition waivers for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or higher. It covers 50% to 100% of undergraduate tuition/fees at public universities or 50% to 100% of tuition at technology centers, based on disability rating (e.g., 60% disability = 50% waiver; 100% disability = 100% waiver). Veterans must first use all available federal education benefits, and waivers apply only to required courses (max 150 credits) or career programs (max 3 years), excluding textbooks or housing. The state must annually fund these waivers through legislative appropriations, subject to budget availability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state-funded tuition waivers for veterans, increasing government spending on education access per budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for veterans with disabilities, expanding higher education access via financial support for public universities/technology centers.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition waivers (50-100%) for veterans with ≥60% service-connected disability, expanding education benefits after federal benefits are exhausted.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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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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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2273: Higher Education; Department of Transportation Educational Assistance Act; workforce development grant program; effective date; emergency.

HB 2273 creates the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition assistance to eligible Oklahoma residents pursuing degrees in fields needed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Students receive coverage for resident tuition, fees, and academic service fees (up to 18 credit hours per semester) for up to 120 credit hours toward an undergraduate degree or a master's degree, contingent on maintaining a 2.0 GPA and good academic standing. In exchange, participants must work for the DOT in an eligible profession for five years after graduation; failure to complete the degree or fulfill the work requirement triggers repayment of all assistance received. The program is funded through DOT resources and private/public donations, with repayments deposited into a dedicated revolving fund.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition assistance program for DOT-related higher education fields, directly funding access and workforce development within education.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates workforce development grant program for DOT-related fields, supporting transportation sector workforce needs through education funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2252: Schools; Big Yellow School Bus Act; increase in compensation for certain school support employees; effective date; emergency.

HB 2252 requires Oklahoma school districts to provide a 20% wage increase to school support employees earning less than $80,000 annually for the 2025-2026 school year, if they continue working for the same district. The increase is calculated based on the employee’s 2024-2025 salary and adjusted proportionally for hours worked. This change takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies in addition to any existing compensation, benefits, or collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 20% wage increase for school support staff under $80k, directly advancing education workforce compensation and funding for K-12 support roles.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 20% wage increase for school support staff under $80k, directly advancing compensation standards per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Collective Bargaining Minimum Wage

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 2895: Children; Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act; time period; appoint; required; teachers; effective date.

HB 2895 modifies Oklahoma's child care licensing rules to improve staffing and facility standards. It requires directors of child care centers to have at least a bachelor's degree (with continuing education still needed), creates a one-year probationary period for new master teachers (extendable by one year), and mandates directors appoint a probationary master teacher within 60 days. The bill also updates space requirements: pre-November 2016 facilities must provide 35 sq ft per infant, while new/expanded facilities must provide 40 sq ft per infant. Additionally, after-school children are excluded from license capacity calculations when determining required master teacher staffing. The changes take effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires bachelor's degrees for directors/master teachers and updates facility standards - improves early education staffing quality and safety per child care licensing rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1286: Schools; length of the school year; virtual school day policy; virtual instruction requirements; definitions; notification requirements; requiring compliance; in-person instruction for noncompliance; appeals; policy for students without internet; auditing; effective date; emergency.

HB 1286 sets minimum requirements for Oklahoma public school instruction time, mandating at least 180 days or 1,080 hours annually. It specifically allows school districts to use up to 10 virtual days per year for limited reasons like inclement weather, staff shortages, or building maintenance - requiring districts to notify the State Board of Education by October 15. If virtual days exceed the limit, schools must switch to in-person instruction, and districts must maintain policies for students without internet access. The bill also requires annual audits of compliance and reports on student achievement impacts for districts using flexible scheduling options.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum in-person instruction time (180 days/1,080 hours) and ensures access for students without internet, strengthening educational continuity and equity.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts virtual instruction to 10 days/year, requiring in-person when exceeded, limiting technology's role in education despite addressing internet access for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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