SB 472, titled "Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; expanding scope of scholarships while participating in the program," was withdrawn from committee on February 19, 2025, and is no longer active. The bill's original intent, as reflected in its title, was to expand tax credit eligibility for education scholarships under Oklahoma's parental choice program. However, with the title stricken and the bill withdrawn, no legislative action or policy changes were enacted. This procedural withdrawal means the proposed expansion of scholarship access did not advance.
SB 1190 requires Oklahoma public school districts to hold at least one "industry day" annually for students in grades 9-12 starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates collaboration between school districts, local employers, career centers, and colleges to provide students with information about local career opportunities and the education/training needed for those jobs. Industry day can be integrated into existing programs like the Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) or linked to apprenticeship and work-based learning initiatives. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting all Oklahoma public high schools and their students.
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.
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.
SB 177 creates the "Morrill Act of 1890 Revolving Fund" under Oklahoma’s State Regents for Higher Education to provide stable, long-term funding for the state’s land-grant institutions established under the 1890 Morrill Act (like Langston University). It appropriates $418,986,272 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 to ensure equitable distribution of funds to these institutions without annual budgeting constraints. The fund operates as a continuing pool, allowing the Regents to manage and distribute resources directly to eligible institutions via state treasurer warrants. This bill directly affects Oklahoma’s 1890 land-grant institutions and takes effect July 1, 2025.
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.
SB 1133 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are intended to support the Regents' existing statutory duties in overseeing the state's public higher education system. This is a procedural funding measure with no new policies or program changes, declared an emergency to take immediate effect. It directly affects the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education by providing budgetary support for their current operations.
HB 1020 expands eligibility for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program to include children of public school employees who have worked for at least five consecutive years. This specifically covers teachers, librarians, certified nurses, support staff, and correctional instructors with teaching certificates paid by public funds. The bill exempts these students from the standard financial need requirement, automatically qualifying them for tuition assistance. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education must verify the parent's employment status to implement this change.
SB 406 updates Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program by requiring designated school contact persons (like counselors) to annually evaluate students in grades 5-11 (or homeschooled students aged 13-16) based on specific eligibility criteria. These criteria include regular school attendance, no substance abuse or criminal activity, and agreement to mentor reviews. The bill also sets new income thresholds for financial need: parent income must not exceed $60,000 (2021-2022) or $60,000-$100,000 (depending on dependent children) for 2022-2023, with special provisions for adopted students and military/Social Security benefits. Students who fail to meet these terms lose eligibility for program awards.
SB 388 allows students enrolled in charter schools or virtual charter schools to participate in public school extracurricular activities, such as sports or clubs, if they meet residency requirements. It requires school associations to update their policies to include these students and amends Oklahoma’s Extracurricular Activities Accountability Act (70 O.S. 27-103) to reflect this change. The bill defines "resident school district" based on student residence and applies to all charter schools, including virtual ones, effective July 1, 2024. This policy change directly affects students in non-traditional schools seeking equal access to campus activities.
