Education (Teachers)

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 1360: Mathematics instruction; Oklahoma Math Achievement and Proficiency Act; teacher training; creating the Office of Mathematics Improvement; Director; screening instrument; funding. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1360 creates a three-year pilot program (2026-2027 to 2028-2029) where Oklahoma's State Department of Education assigns math instruction teams to public school districts with the lowest student math assessment scores (starting with the bottom 10% in year one, expanding to 20% and 30% in later years). These teams provide targeted support to students struggling with math, including those with dyscalculia, and help teachers improve instruction through specialized training in evidence-based math teaching methods. The bill also requires the Department to establish an Office of Mathematics Improvement to oversee the program and submit a final report evaluating its impact on student math proficiency by December 2029. The program directly affects school districts identified by assessment data and teachers seeking updated instructional resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates targeted math support teams for low-performing schools, provides teacher training in evidence-based methods, and addresses student needs - directly enhances educational programs and teacher capacity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 307: State fiscal affairs; creating the Oklahoma Teachers Legacy Fund. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 307 creates the Oklahoma Teachers Legacy Fund in the state treasury, funded by surplus General Revenue Fund monies from 2023 ($563.7 million) and 2024 ($759.4 million). The fund invests principal following state retirement fund guidelines, with income accruing to the fund. When the fund's value grows by $100 million or more above its prior year balance, the excess automatically transfers to boost teacher salaries starting January 1 each year. The fund must maintain sufficient liquidity to enable these transfers, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund from surplus to automatically boost teacher salaries, directly funding essential public education service through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates fund to automatically boost teacher salaries using surplus funds, directly increasing educator compensation per bill's automatic transfer mechanism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1754: Schools; school personnel; definitions; effective date.

HB 1754 amends Oklahoma's school personnel definitions to clarify which roles qualify for teacher-equivalent benefits and protections under state law. It adds specific definitions for school nurses, athletic trainers, licensed physical therapists, and their assistants, ensuring these professionals receive the same legal protections and benefits as certified teachers. The bill also updates terms like "inductee" (new teachers under mentorship) and "student teacher" (training students), clarifying their compensation and internship rules. This definition-focused bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts and their staff in the specified roles, effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds definitions for school nurses/therapists to qualify for teacher-equivalent benefits and protections, strengthening educator support per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends teacher-equivalent benefits and legal protections to school nurses, athletic trainers, and PTs, expanding worker protections for specific employment roles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 27, 2025

HB 1955: Education; Education Leadership Oklahoma program; clarifying award coverage; increasing maximum amount; repayment; reimbursement; effective date.

HB 1955 supports Oklahoma teachers seeking National Board certification by expanding financial assistance and recognition. It provides up to $1,800 per teacher annually (covering $1,300 in fees plus a $500 scholarship) for application costs and certification expenses, with repayment required if certification isn’t completed within three years. The bill also establishes a $5,000 annual bonus for 10 years for teachers certified before June 30, 2013, or those who applied before that date, while clarifying that bonus eligibility excludes certain salary increments. Additionally, it mandates free mentorship and training support for participating teachers through university partnerships. The law took effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct financial support ($1,800/teacher annual coverage + $5,000 bonus) for teacher certification, advancing educator development and retention in Oklahoma schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

signed · Oklahoma · Senate Jun 11, 2025

SB 235: Teachers; establishing the Grow Your Own Educator Program; providing for grant application process. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 235 creates Oklahoma's "Grow Your Own Educator Program," which provides matching grants to eligible public school districts that help current employees pursue teaching degrees. School districts must have existing tuition or loan repayment programs for staff enrolled in accredited teacher preparation programs to qualify. The state establishes a dedicated "Grow Your Own Educator Revolving Fund" to cover the matching portion of these grants, awarded on a first-come basis with funds limited by available appropriations. Districts must report annually on employee progress and outcomes, while the state submits broader program reports to elected officials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 235 establishes matching grants for school districts to help staff pursue teaching degrees via a dedicated revolving fund, directly funding teacher development and retention in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SB 851: School employees; modifying the access statewide professional educators' associations have to school employees. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 851 requires Oklahoma school districts to provide statewide educator associations (like teachers' unions) equal access to school employees for communication and materials, mirroring access granted to other educator groups. It prohibits districts from conditioning access on free meals, donations, or fees, and allows associations to distribute membership materials in school mailboxes or via email. The bill mandates that districts notify the State Board of Education if access is denied without resolution within 15 days. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies directly to school districts and educator associations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates equal access for educator associations (teachers' unions) to school employees, prohibiting fees/conditions, directly supporting teacher representation and union activities within schools.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires equal access for educator unions to communicate with employees, supporting collective bargaining rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 1237: Teachers; creating the Teachers' Bill of Rights; affording certain rights to teachers, administrators, and support staff. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1237 creates Oklahoma's "Teachers' Bill of Rights," granting specific protections to public school teachers, administrators, and support staff. It directly affords rights including free expression (like keeping religious materials in classrooms, wearing faith-based jewelry, and praying with students), protection from harassment or threats, classroom discipline authority (removing disruptive students), medical privacy (refusing vaccines/masks as employment condition), and guaranteed planning time (1 hour) and lunch (20 minutes). The bill also requires school districts to establish a due process plan for reporting rights violations, including anonymous reporting and timely investigations. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGrants teachers protections including free expression, discipline authority, and medical privacy, directly strengthening educator rights and working conditions in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants teachers workplace protections including free expression, medical privacy, and harassment safeguards, directly advancing worker rights under Labor & Employment policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Employment Discrimination

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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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signed · Oklahoma · House May 27, 2025

HB 1075: Teachers; making certain provisions applicable to administrators; requiring certain recommendation to be forwarded to the State Board of Education; providing for expungement; effective date; emergency.

HB 1075 requires school superintendents to provide written dismissal recommendations for teachers and administrators with specific, documented reasons. If a recommendation involves potential criminal charges or certificate revocation issues, it must be forwarded to the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The bill also mandates that if an investigation clears an educator of wrongdoing, the record is expunged from State Board files. All recommendations are kept confidential under Oklahoma law, with strict rules for handling requests by school districts during employment decisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires documented dismissal reasons for educators and mandates expungement of cleared records, strengthening due process protections for teachers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 510: Teachers; modifying amount of credit school districts may grant for certain service in the minimum salary schedule. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 510 modifies Oklahoma's teacher salary schedule by changing how school districts count certain teaching experience toward salary increases. It specifically allows school districts to grant credit for up to 10 years of active military service toward state salary increments (previously limited to 5 years), while maintaining a 5-year limit for retirement credit. This change directly affects Oklahoma public school teachers seeking salary increases based on military service or out-of-state teaching experience. The bill updates existing salary schedule rules without altering base salary amounts or other experience credits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands military service credit for teacher salary increases (10 years vs. 5), directly supporting educator compensation within K-12 salary structures.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases teacher salary credits for military service (10 years vs. 5), directly enhancing compensation benefits for educators under Labor & Employment.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSB 510 increases military service credit (to 10 years) for teacher salary increases, directly benefiting veterans in employment through enhanced compensation recognition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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