HB 2893 exempts certain paraprofessionals and teachers from additional professional education coursework requirements. Specifically, it states that paraprofessionals with a bachelor's degree in education (and within 10 years of classroom work) and teachers with a bachelor's in education (also within 10 years of classroom service) will be deemed to have satisfied existing rules for certification renewal or professional development. The bill directly affects Oklahoma public school paraprofessionals and teachers holding qualifying degrees. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and was designated an emergency measure to take immediate effect upon passage.
SB 706 removes restrictions on Oklahoma school districts' ability to carry over unused general fund money from one fiscal year to the next and eliminates penalties for exceeding previous spending limits. It directly affects all public school districts by updating funding rules in statutes (70 O.S. §§ 1-117 and 18-200.1) to allow districts greater flexibility in managing operating funds. The bill amends language defining "general fund" and repeals prior limitations on carryover amounts and penalties. This change simplifies financial administration without altering how districts receive state aid or fund capital projects.
SB 1189 requires Oklahoma's School Security Revolving Fund to allocate $50 million annually for three fiscal years (starting July 2026) to all public school districts equally. It removes previous spending limits on the fund and mandates that these funds supplement, not replace, existing school security funding. The bill directs funds toward security measures like resource officers, cameras, locks, and panic systems. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency declaration to expedite implementation. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts through guaranteed annual security funding.
HB 2696 requires Oklahoma public schools to provide parents, guardians, or students aged 18+ with full access to individual student records - such as assessments, progress reports, and internal communications - without redaction or omission, except when legally prohibited. Schools must release these records promptly, free of charge, and in a timely manner per the Oklahoma Open Records Act. The bill clarifies that directory information (e.g., name, address, sports participation) may still be released only with parental consent for minors, but schools cannot withhold it without following federal privacy rules. This law, effective November 1, 2025, aims to increase transparency in educational record access while maintaining compliance with federal student privacy laws.
SB 1480 requires all Oklahoma technology center school districts to appoint an apprenticeship coordinator. These coordinators must build employer relationships, help students access apprenticeships, and work with schools that offer apprenticeships under the AIM Act. The bill also mandates that schools serving technology centers must collaborate with these coordinators to improve student participation in apprenticeship programs. This directly affects technology center districts, their partner schools, and high school students seeking work-based learning opportunities.
SB 2040 modifies Oklahoma's Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program to expand eligibility for descendants of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre victims. It increases the income limit for most applicants from $70,000 to $125,000 annually while removing income limits entirely for direct lineal descendants. The bill requires applicants to verify lineage through documentation (like family records or public archives) reviewed by the Oklahoma Historical Society, and mandates that all applicants must mark a checkbox confirming descendant status on applications. It directs the State Regents to prioritize descendants in scholarship selection and updates how scholarship funds are distributed to support students in Oklahoma higher education or career programs.
SB 1193 removes restrictions on how much money Oklahoma school districts can carry over from one year's general fund to the next and eliminates penalties for exceeding previous carryover limits. It also removes a rule that previously blocked districts with per-pupil revenue over 300% of the average from receiving state aid. The bill updates the state's school funding formula to reflect these changes, allowing districts more flexibility with their budgets. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts by changing how their state aid is calculated and distributed.
SB 1272 raises the maximum family income limit for Oklahoma students to qualify for the Tuition Equalization Grant, a program providing up to $2,000 annually toward college costs. This change directly affects low- and middle-income Oklahoma residents who were previously ineligible due to income thresholds but now meet the updated criteria. The bill amends statute 70 O.S. § 2632 to reflect this higher income limit without altering the grant amount or other eligibility requirements, and it takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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.
SB 366 changes Oklahoma's charter school application process by removing the requirement for applicants to first submit proposals to the local school district. Instead, starting July 1, 2025, new charter school applications must be submitted directly to a proposed sponsor (such as a school district board, university, or approved organization). This applies to all new applications filed after July 1, 2024, streamlining the process for charter school developers. Virtual charter schools remain subject to separate submission rules with the Statewide Charter School Board. The bill updates statutory language to reflect this procedural shift.
