Education (Teachers)

signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2026

HB 4427: Adjunct teachers; annual report; qualifications; requirements; prohibiting adjunct teachers from teaching core curriculum subjects to certain grades; waiver; certificate; effective date.

HB 4427 requires Oklahoma's State Board of Education to create rules defining "distinguished qualifications" for adjunct teachers, including minimum experience and education requirements. It prohibits adjunct teachers without a valid teaching certificate from instructing core subjects in prekindergarten through fourth grade unless a school district obtains a waiver from the State Board. The bill also mandates annual reports from the State Department of Education detailing adjunct teacher qualifications, subject areas taught, and their distinguished experience. These reports must be published online and shared with legislators by January 15 each year. The law directly affects school districts, adjunct teachers, and the State Board of Education, with no impact on standard teaching certification requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires certified teachers for core pre-K-4 subjects, establishing minimum qualifications to ensure educational quality and student safety in K-12 settings.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 4358: Schools; limiting screen time for prekindergarten through fifth grade public school students to one hour per school day; effective date; emergency.

HB 4358 limits screen time for prekindergarten through fifth grade public school students to one hour per school day, including all classroom activities using devices like tablets, computers, or smart devices. The law exempts students requiring special education accommodations under IEPs or 504 plans, as well as necessary assistive technology. It applies to all public schools in Oklahoma starting the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines "screen time" broadly to cover both teacher-directed and student-selected digital activities during school hours.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts screen time in K-12 classrooms for young students, limiting technology use in curriculum delivery per explicit language.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts mandatory classroom technology use (screen time limits) for young students, directly limiting technology access as its core provision.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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died · Oklahoma · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 3702: Schools; increasing length of school year; references; effective date; emergency.

HB 3702 requires Oklahoma public school districts to operate for at least 185 days (up from 181) and provide 1,110 hours of classroom instruction annually (up from 1,086), effective for the 2026-2027 school year. School districts must adopt a specific school-hours policy and notify the State Board of Education by October 15 each year to qualify for this requirement. The bill limits districts from counting more than 30 hours of professional meetings toward the required instructional time and prohibits counting parent-teacher conferences beyond 12 hours yearly. It also mandates districts using extended-day schedules to document student achievement impacts and report annually to the State Board of Education. This bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts that choose to adopt the new policy framework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates increased instructional time (185 days/1110 hours) to enhance educational quality, directly advancing student learning requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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died · Oklahoma · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 1546: Education; modifying eligibility under the Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act.

SB 1546 renames Oklahoma's teacher scholarship program to the NEXT-ED Program and increases scholarship amounts for students pursuing teaching degrees. The bill provides up to $2,000 per year for the first three years (for students with fewer than 90 credits) and up to $5,000 for the final year (for students with 90+ credits), with a total maximum of $11,000 per student. To qualify, students must commit to teaching in Oklahoma public schools for five years after graduation and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Participants who fulfill this teaching commitment may also receive up to $20,000 in total through annual employment incentive payments of up to $4,000 per year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state appropriations for teacher scholarships ($11k max per student), directly funding education workforce development through public spending.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher scholarship funding ($11k max) to recruit educators, directly supporting K-12 teacher workforce development and education access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 4, 2026

HB 3151: Schools; length of school year; increasing minimum days of instruction; requiring parent-teacher conferences to have an in-person option; contingent effective date.

HB 3151, the Education Reform Act of 2026, sets minimum requirements for classroom instruction time in Oklahoma public schools. It mandates that districts provide at least 181 days or 1,086 hours of actual classroom instruction annually, prohibiting the counting of more than 30 hours of staff meetings or 12 hours of parent-teacher conferences toward this total. Starting in 2026-2027, schools cannot count virtual instruction days toward the required hours, except for up to two days (12 hours) per year with prior approval of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools by defining what constitutes valid instructional time.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 181-day instructional minimum, prohibits counting staff meetings/PTA hours, restricts virtual days beyond 2 days - ensuring dedicated classroom time to strengthen educational standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 1776: Income tax; providing tax credit for certain teachers. Effective date.

SB 1776 creates a $10,000 annual income tax credit for Oklahoma teachers who have completed eight consecutive years teaching in the same school district. To qualify, teachers must continue teaching in that district for the remainder of their eighth year plus three additional years (with exceptions for layoffs, death, or medical hardship). The credit is refundable, meaning any amount exceeding a teacher's tax liability will be paid directly to them. The Oklahoma Tax Commission may audit claims and require repayment if eligibility is later found to be invalid. This bill would apply to tax years starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $10k refundable tax credit to qualifying teachers, offering direct tax relief for middle-income educators and strengthening fiscal support for public school workforce.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct financial support to teachers via refundable tax credit, incentivizing retention in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Income Tax Tax Credits Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 1893: Students; creating the Teacher Shortage Reduction Act; providing criteria for certain graduation recognition; providing criteria for certain education designation. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1893, the "Teacher Shortage Reduction Act," creates new graduation recognition and college designations to support future educators. It requires Oklahoma high schools to award a graduation "education endorsement" to students who meet specific criteria: earning a standard diploma, identifying teaching as a career goal in their academic plan, and completing an education-related apprenticeship, internship, or mentorship. For students earning this endorsement and 30+ college credits or an associate degree through concurrent enrollment, the Oklahoma State Regents must award an "education designation" on their college diploma and transcript. This designation guarantees acceptance into a college of education and grants credit for prior field experience, directly affecting high school students and higher education institutions starting with the 2027-2028 graduating class.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates 'education endorsement' for future teachers via graduation criteria and apprenticeships, directly addressing teacher shortages to strengthen educator pipeline.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 1864: Schools; removing minimum salary schedule amounts beginning in certain school year; directing certain personnel to be paid in accordance with certain salary schedule. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1864 removes Oklahoma's state-mandated minimum salary schedules for certified school personnel (including teachers) starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Instead, school districts will determine their own salary schedules for these employees, replacing the previous state-set pay tables. The bill also requires districts to provide written notice to teachers if retirement benefits would reduce their salary below the district's schedule, and allows districts to credit up to five years of out-of-state or military teaching experience toward salary. This change directly affects public school employees and districts across Oklahoma.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves state-mandated minimum teacher salaries, allowing districts to set lower pay without oversight, weakening teacher compensation protections.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves state-mandated minimum teacher salaries, allowing districts to set lower pay without state oversight, weakening wage protections for educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4452: School employees; prohibiting specified existing organizations from continuing to represent employees; modifying prohibition against payroll deductions on behalf of certain employees; effective date; emergency.

HB 4452 requires Oklahoma school districts to hold secret ballot elections every three years to determine if existing employee organizations (like teacher unions) can continue representing school staff. If a majority of employees vote against the current organization, the school district must stop recognizing it as the bargaining representative, though existing contracts remain in effect until their term ends. The bill also prohibits school districts from making payroll deductions for organizations that collectively bargain with schools, while allowing deductions for other professional groups. This directly affects school employees, current bargaining organizations, and school districts managing labor relations. The elections must occur between August 1 and December 1 annually, with specific rules for voting and ballot challenges.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts teacher union representation via mandatory secret ballots, weakening collective bargaining power for school employees per bill's core provisions.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRequires secret ballots every 3 years to end union representation, weakening collective bargaining rights by enabling districts to replace unions if majority votes against them.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3550: Teacher salaries; minimum salary schedule; automatic annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index; State Board of Education to determine adjustment amounts; emergency.

HB 3550 establishes a minimum salary schedule for Oklahoma public school teachers based on experience and education levels, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. Beginning in 2026-2027, the minimum salaries will automatically increase each year based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) compared to 2025, but no adjustment will occur if the CPI declines. The State Board of Education must calculate and announce the annual adjustment by April 1 each year, posting it on their website. This bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school teachers covered by the minimum salary schedule, ensuring their base pay adjusts annually for inflation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates automatic salary increases tied to CPI, requiring state budget allocation for teacher compensation as essential public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes minimum teacher salaries with CPI-based annual increases, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets minimum teacher salaries with CPI-linked annual increases, ensuring wage growth aligned with inflation to protect educators' compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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