Education

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 1159: Schools; student transfers; intra-district transfers; options; effective date; emergency.

HB 1159 allows Oklahoma students to transfer between schools within their district year-round, provided the receiving school's grade level has available space. It establishes specific preferences for transfers, including siblings of transferring students, children of district employees, students changing residence within the district, and those in foster care. School districts must publicly post capacity limits for transfers and prioritize students based on these preferences when space is limited. The bill requires districts to set and report these capacity limits annually, ensuring transparency in the transfer process.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands student access to schools within district via flexible transfer options with prioritized preferences for vulnerable groups.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 686: Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; applying authorized but unused credit to subsequent annual limitation. Effective date.

SB 686 amends Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act to allow taxpayers to carry forward unused portions of their annual credit amount to future tax years. This change specifically increases the annual credit limitation by the amount of certain unused credits from prior years, while removing the previous option to reallocate unused credits between different types of qualified education expenses. The bill affects Oklahoma taxpayers claiming the credit for eligible students' education costs, including private school tuition and related expenses, as defined under the existing program. It does not alter the credit amounts or income thresholds but changes how unused credit is handled administratively.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends tax credit to allow unused credits to carry forward, expanding tax relief for education expenses and increasing credit flexibility for taxpayers.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables taxpayers to carry forward unused education tax credits, increasing flexibility and access to funding for K-12 education expenses without restricting options.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HJR 1008: Oklahoma Constitution; candidate requirements for office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; ballot title; filing.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring future candidates for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction to have public school administrator certification and at least five years of experience as a school principal or superintendent, in addition to existing age and residency requirements. It directly affects individuals seeking this education leadership role starting with the 2030 general election. The amendment would apply only to candidates running for the office beginning in 2030 and every election after, not immediately. The resolution also establishes the ballot title for voter approval of this constitutional change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates higher qualifications for superintendent, ensuring experienced leadership in education policy, aligning with strengthening educational governance.90% confidence

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 1272: Higher education; increasing income eligibility for an Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1272 raises the maximum family income limit for Oklahoma students to qualify for the Tuition Equalization Grant, a program providing up to $2,000 annually toward college costs. This change directly affects low- and middle-income Oklahoma residents who were previously ineligible due to income thresholds but now meet the updated criteria. The bill amends statute 70 O.S. § 2632 to reflect this higher income limit without altering the grant amount or other eligibility requirements, and it takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 1272 expands access to higher education funding by raising income eligibility for Oklahoma's Tuition Equalization Grant, allowing more low/middle-income students to qualify for up to $2,000 annual aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SB 778: Workforce training; requiring the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to develop workforce training for educators. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 778 requires the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to develop annual workforce training for all teachers and administrators by August 2026. The training, limited to one hour and accessible online through the State Department of Education platform, must cover Oklahoma's key industries and current workforce shortages, with updates each year. Teachers must complete this training annually starting May 2027, and the State Department of Education must post it online by October 30 each year. The bill aims to align educator knowledge with state workforce needs to better prepare students for career pathways.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual workforce training for educators to align with state workforce needs, supporting teacher professional development and curriculum relevance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 212: Teacher preparation; directing the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish TeachForwardOK.

SB 212 directs Oklahoma's Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish a two-year pilot program called TeachForwardOK for teacher education programs at accredited public colleges and universities. The bill requires the Commission to issue grants to approved programs to hire technical evaluators who must assess four specific areas: teacher candidate recruitment/completion, program effectiveness, alignment with state workforce needs, and strategies for recruiting nontraditional teachers. Programs must submit electronic responses to evaluation reports within 60 days, and the Commission will award $500,000 to one program to address findings after the pilot. The Commission must submit a final report to state leaders by December 2027 detailing results and recommendations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant-funded pilot program to strengthen teacher education programs through evaluation and alignment with workforce needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

signed · Oklahoma · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 2893: Education; paraprofessionals; teachers; exemption; effective date; emergency.

HB 2893 exempts certain paraprofessionals and teachers from additional professional education coursework requirements. Specifically, it states that paraprofessionals with a bachelor's degree in education (and within 10 years of classroom work) and teachers with a bachelor's in education (also within 10 years of classroom service) will be deemed to have satisfied existing rules for certification renewal or professional development. The bill directly affects Oklahoma public school paraprofessionals and teachers holding qualifying degrees. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and was designated an emergency measure to take immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts qualified educators from redundant coursework, reducing certification barriers and supporting teacher retention without cutting funding or restricting requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1292: State Department of Education; directing the Department to establish the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program for students in kindergarten through three. Effective date. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded tutoring program with tutor bonuses, mandates in-person reading support for K-3, prioritizes underperforming schools, directly advancing K-12 student support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 26: Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; providing for postretirement employment without earnings limitations subject to certain circumstances. Effective date.

SB 26 removes earnings limits for retired Oklahoma teachers who return to classroom teaching in public schools under specific conditions. It allows eligible retirees (who have not worked for public schools in the past year) to earn full salary for three years without income restrictions, starting July 1, 2025. This applies to teachers retiring after July 2025 who return to active classroom roles in common or career tech school districts. The change modifies existing rules that previously limited postretirement earnings for 36 months, with exceptions based on retirement date. The bill affects current and future retirees in Oklahoma’s public school system who rejoin teaching roles.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves earnings restrictions for retired teachers returning to classrooms, strengthening teacher workforce stability and retention in public schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 800: Schools; requiring certain school personnel to complete certain training. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 800 (the Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act) requires specific school staff to complete regular training related to cardiac emergencies. Coaches and athletic trainers must complete annual CPR/AED training before coaching, while school nurses must complete this training every two years. The bill also mandates that all Oklahoma public schools develop and update annual emergency response plans, including clear AED placement, staff training, and coordination with emergency services. These requirements apply directly to school personnel involved in athletics and student health, effective July 1, 2025, under an emergency declaration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates life-saving staff training for cardiac emergencies, enhancing student safety in schools - directly supporting educational environment protection.85% confidence

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