SB 1894 removes a 150-hour cap on required professional development for Oklahoma certified teachers over any five-year period, directly affecting all teachers in public school districts. The bill maintains existing mandatory trainings on autism, dyslexia, child abuse recognition, and racial/ethnic education but eliminates the previous limit on total hours. It also requires school districts to electronically submit annual reports to the State Department of Education detailing professional development activities, costs, and outcomes. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and was declared an emergency to take immediate effect upon approval.
SB 1632 requires Oklahoma public schools to provide free career-readiness assessments to students in grades 10-12 starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The assessments measure foundational workplace skills like applied math, workplace documents, and critical thinking, and lead to nationally recognized credentials upon meeting proficiency standards. It shifts approval authority for these assessments from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to the State Department of Education, while directing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish rules for awarding college credit based on assessment results. The bill affects all Oklahoma public high school students in targeted grades and mandates school districts to administer the assessments at no cost to students who choose to participate.
HB 3021 establishes new curriculum standards for Oklahoma public schools, requiring all students to complete a 23-unit graduation curriculum starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates specific content in subjects like requiring equal focus on classic literature and nonfiction in English, studying key historical documents (including the U.S. Constitution), and mastering standard math algorithms and Euclidean geometry. The bill creates a process for schools to request "nonstandard course waivers" for alternative courses, while ensuring technology center courses meet state standards and can count toward graduation. This directly affects Oklahoma public high school students and districts by standardizing graduation requirements and expanding options for course approval.
SB 2084 caps settlement amounts for wrongful termination claims by employees of Oklahoma public institutions of higher education (like state universities) at two years of their base salary at termination. It limits total settlements to include back pay and damages but excludes accrued unpaid wages, leave, and retirement contributions already earned. The bill specifically applies to state law claims, not federal ones, and takes effect November 1, 2026. This directly affects public university employees filing termination disputes under Oklahoma law.
SB 1489 requires Oklahoma public schools and the State Department of Education to comply with federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) standards for students with disabilities aged 3-21. It mandates that school districts provide special education services as defined by IDEA and authorizes using federal funds for these services. The bill specifically requires the State Department to publish online dispute resolution options for parents, including IEP facilitation, mediation, due process, and state complaints. This bill affects all Oklahoma public school districts, students with disabilities, and their families, effective July 1, 2026.
SB 1633 removes provisions allowing undocumented students to qualify for Oklahoma resident tuition by submitting immigration status applications or affidavits. It eliminates language ensuring these students would not be disqualified from state scholarships or financial aid based on immigration status. The bill aligns Oklahoma’s higher education residency rules with Section 3242.2, which generally prohibits non-residents from receiving resident tuition benefits or state financial aid. This change directly affects students who previously relied on the removed documentation pathways to access in-state tuition rates.
SB 1204 requires Oklahoma school districts to provide teachers and school support personnel with three days of paid bereavement leave following the death of their spouse or child, including leave for miscarriage. This leave must be granted in addition to existing sick leave benefits and cannot be reduced by local negotiated leave policies. The bill amends Oklahoma law to mandate this policy for all affected employees, effective immediately under an emergency provision. It directly affects school employees covered under Section 6-104 of Oklahoma Statutes.
HB 2961 waives tuition and fees for spouses and children of Gold Star veterans (those killed in U.S. military service) at Oklahoma's public higher education institutions and career technology schools. It expands existing tuition waivers - previously limited to children of fallen peace officers, firefighters, and law enforcement retirees - to include Gold Star families who meet residency requirements (Oklahoma resident at death or during enrollment). The waiver covers all tuition and fees for up to five years and applies to both the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and career technology districts. This bill modifies Sections 3218.7-1, 14-134, and 14-134.1 of Oklahoma Statutes, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 4326 expands eligibility for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program to include students in court-ordered custody of private nonprofit child-placing agencies or federally recognized Indian tribes during specific grades (8th-11th). It removes the income requirement for these students and adds eligibility for students whose parent is a certified classroom teacher. The bill amends existing program rules to broaden access for these groups while maintaining other standard requirements like residency, academic performance, and admission standards. This change directly affects students in foster care or tribal custody who previously faced financial barriers to qualify.
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.
