Education (Teachers)

signed · Oklahoma · House May 11, 2026

HB 3076: Teachers; new and innovative pathways toward teacher certification; alternative teacher preparation programs; alternative placement teaching certificates; effective date; emergency.

HB 3076 creates a pilot program for alternative teacher certification pathways in Oklahoma, allowing organizations like school districts or colleges to offer non-traditional teacher preparation programs. It requires the State Board of Education Commission to approve providers meeting specific criteria (such as financial stability, infrastructure, and program effectiveness) within 60 days, and mandates that approved programs use research-based methods to prepare teachers. The bill permits teacher candidates to demonstrate competency through non-traditional means like work experience or industry certifications, rather than solely standardized tests. The pilot program is limited to a two-year timeframe ending July 1, 2026, and requires annual reporting on program success rates.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative teacher certification pathways to expand educator recruitment and support, aligning with teacher support and access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1849: Children; sunset; Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program; Partnership for School Readiness; childcare facilities employee; income exemption; notice to the Department of Human Services; conditions; codification; effective date.

HB 1849 creates a temporary Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program (expiring November 1, 2028) administered by Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. It directly affects childcare facility employees by exempting their household income from eligibility calculations for the Child Care Subsidy Program, waiving copayments for qualifying workers, and requiring childcare providers to notify the Department of Human Services within 30 days if an employee leaves. The bill ensures childcare workers qualify for subsidies without income limits, while maintaining all other standard eligibility requirements for the subsidy program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program with income exemptions for childcare workers, directly supporting educator workforce stability and access to early childhood education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts childcare workers' income from subsidy calculations and waives copayments, directly expanding financial benefits for this workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

Track

passed · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 1339: Schools; directing funds to be allocated to certain school districts to implement the minimum salary schedule. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1339 establishes a tiered minimum salary schedule for certified school personnel (like teachers) in Oklahoma public schools, based on years of experience and education level. It requires the State Board of Education to allocate state funds annually to school districts to implement these salary increases starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts and their certified staff by mandating specific pay thresholds. The schedule includes detailed pay rates for different experience levels and degrees, with provisions for fringe benefits and out-of-state certification recognition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funds allocation for teacher salary increases, directly increasing public education spending as required by the bill.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state funding for teacher salary increases based on experience/education, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in public schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state-funded minimum salary increases for school staff based on experience/education, directly raising wages for certified personnel in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Professional Licensing

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1015: Teachers; temporary contracts; teachers with emergency or provisional certificates; effective date; emergency.

HB 1015 modifies Oklahoma's teacher contract rules for educators with emergency or provisional certificates. It limits temporary contracts to four semesters (with exceptions for replacement teachers or retirees), requires school districts to provide written contract terms before hiring, and grants teachers who complete a full school year on temporary contracts one year of service credit toward career status. The bill also mandates that due process protections apply to temporary contracts lasting a full school year or funded by federal/private grants. This bill directly affects school districts and teachers with emergency/provisional certification, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides service credit for temporary teachers, requiring written terms and limiting contract duration - supports educator stability and career progression90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 867: Schools; annual reports for the Oklahoma School Testing Program; requiring certain reports. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 867 requires Oklahoma public schools to include specific new metrics in annual school report cards provided to parents. The bill mandates that report cards list at least five enrichment and support indicators (such as STEM courses, mental health support, and extracurricular activities) and at least three staffing experience and retention indicators (like teacher certification rates). These requirements apply to all schools with tested students, directly affecting parents receiving the reports and school districts responsible for publishing them. The bill updates existing reporting under Oklahoma's school testing program without changing the overall grading system or assessment methods.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates reporting on enrichment programs (STEM, mental health) and staffing retention, enhancing transparency and accountability for student support and educator stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 840: Teachers; establishing certain micro-credential; establishing minimum requirements for micro-credential. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 840 creates two new micro-credentials for Oklahoma teachers: one for Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and one for Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI). To earn either, teachers must hold a master’s degree, complete specialized training, pass a competency exam, and provide 28 days of instruction post-exam. Certified teachers with these micro-credentials gain authorization to screen students for and identify dyslexia characteristics. The micro-credential will be added to the teacher’s official certificate, effective July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects certified teachers seeking specialized training in dyslexia identification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates teacher micro-credentials requiring master's, training, and exams to screen for dyslexia, enhancing educator qualifications and student support in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics 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

Track

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

Track

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