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.
SB 1437 requires Oklahoma school districts to administer the Presidential Fitness Test starting in the 2026-2027 school year, using guidelines established by the State Department of Education. These guidelines must include staff training, exemptions for students with disabilities or medical conditions, and a parent opt-out option. School districts must use test results to promote physical activity, adjust fitness programs, and encourage participation in exercise both at school and in the community. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directs the guidelines to align with recommendations from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
SB 1726 requires Oklahoma public universities to create mandatory training programs for graduate students serving as primary instructors in undergraduate courses. The training must cover teaching methods, classroom management, grading, student accommodations, academic integrity, and specific protections for student speech under the First Amendment - ensuring students aren't penalized for lawful expression. It applies to all institutions within Oklahoma's State System of Higher Education and takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill was designated an emergency to expedite implementation.
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.
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 1595 prohibits Oklahoma state agencies and contracted entities from giving specific recommendations for or against commercial driver training schools. It also bans agencies administering student grants from withholding funds based on a student’s choice of school. Affected schools or students can sue if these rules are violated. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is classified as an emergency measure.
SB 514 expands Oklahoma's statewide alternative education system to explicitly include charter schools and virtual charter schools that are designated by the State Department of Education as offering alternative education programs. It requires school districts serving grades 7-12 to provide alternative education programs meeting specific standards (like smaller class sizes, certified teachers, and individualized plans) and allows districts to use full-time virtual or blended instruction. Designated charter and virtual charter schools must follow the same performance standards and attendance policies as district programs, while funding is based on student enrollment with 15% reserved for cooperative agreements between districts. The bill directly affects school districts, designated charter/virtual schools, and students at risk of not completing high school.
SB 1734, the Oklahoma Responsible Technology in Schools Act, restricts AI tool use in public schools to educator-supervised settings, requiring all classroom AI applications to operate under teacher oversight ("human-in-the-loop") with educators reviewing outputs before use in instruction or assessment. It prohibits AI from determining high-stakes outcomes like grading, discipline, or student placement, and mandates school districts to adopt policies by the 2027-2028 school year covering data privacy, appropriate use, and transparency for families. The State Department of Education must develop guidance to help districts comply, while ensuring AI tools meet federal privacy laws (like FERPA) and minimize student data sharing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not compel schools to adopt AI but sets guardrails for its responsible use.
SB 1989 expands contribution options for Oklahoma's 529 College Savings Plan by explicitly permitting digital payments through peer-to-peer apps and digital networks, in addition to cash. This change directly affects anyone contributing to the plan, including parents, students, or others saving for qualified higher education expenses. The bill updates the statute (70 O.S. 2021, Section 3970.7) to clarify that contributions may now be made via these digital methods. The amendment does not alter savings limits, tax treatment, or other program rules, focusing solely on expanding how funds can be deposited.
