Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 1016: Income tax credit; requiring the Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority verify certain claims by certain applicants; requiring certain entities submit documentation to tax commission for verification of income for parental choice tax credit. Effective date.

SB 1016 amends Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act to require the Department of Human Services and Oklahoma Health Care Authority to verify income claims for taxpayers seeking the credit. It also mandates that participating private schools submit documentation directly to the Oklahoma Tax Commission to verify income eligibility for families using the credit. The bill affects taxpayers who send children to accredited private schools or use alternative education methods, allowing them to claim tax credits of up to $7,500 annually based on family income levels. These verification steps aim to ensure accurate credit claims while maintaining the existing credit structure for private school tuition and related educational expenses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens Parental Choice Tax Credit program by verifying income eligibility, enabling expanded educational access to private schools and alternative education options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 2919: Schools; permitting Life Skills to be taught as an elective course in public schools as funding becomes available; effective date.

HB 2919 would allow Oklahoma public schools to offer "Life Skills" as an elective course for students in grades 6-12, subject to available funding. The course would cover practical topics like cooking, job application skills, financial literacy, mental health basics, and career pathways (e.g., trade schools or college). Schools could teach it through existing Family and Consumer Science courses or other applicable classes, without requiring special teacher certification, and could deliver it in person, online, or hybrid. The bill mandates alignment with workforce readiness standards and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands K-12 educational access by adding Life Skills electives covering financial literacy, career pathways, and practical skills, enhancing student program offerings without restrictions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1249: Higher education; prohibiting certain institutions of higher education from using state funds for certain purposes. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1249 prohibits Oklahoma public universities from using state funds to provide scholarships, grants, tuition aid, or discounted tuition to foreign national students starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. This directly affects public higher education institutions in Oklahoma's state system (like the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University) and foreign national students who would have received state-funded financial aid. The bill requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to create implementing rules and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law does not change eligibility for federal aid or private scholarships.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts state funding for foreign student aid at public universities, limiting educational access for international students in higher education.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts state-funded financial aid for foreign national students, limiting access to higher education services for non-immigrant students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2242: Higher education; Inspired to Teach Program; certain advanced degrees; effective date; emergency.

HB 2242 creates the "Inspired to Teach Program" to support future educators in Oklahoma. It provides scholarship funding covering tuition, fees, and living costs for undergraduate teacher education students (up to $5,500 total) and graduate students in school counseling, special education, or administration (up to $4,500 total), based on credit hours completed. Participants must agree to teach or work in Oklahoma public schools (pre-K-12) for five consecutive years after graduation and maintain academic standards. The program requires the State Regents to establish a committee to evaluate effectiveness and report annually to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship program funding teacher education tuition/fees, requiring 5-year teaching commitment in OK public schools to support educator pipeline.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1391: Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; requiring participating private schools to administer certain assessment of eligible students; establishing fee. Effective date.

SB 1391 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act to adjust household income limits for families using the program. It increases the income threshold for the highest credit tier from $150,000 to $225,000 annually (with a $6,000 credit), adds a new $250,000+ bracket (capping credits at $5,000), and maintains lower tiers for lower-income households. The bill affects families paying private school tuition who qualify for the tax credit, capping the credit at actual tuition costs regardless of income. It also requires participating private schools to administer certain assessments to students, updating prior requirements. These changes apply to tax years 2024 onward and fiscal years 2026 onward.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit eligibility to higher income brackets ($225k→$250k+), providing larger tax breaks for wealthier families, reducing state revenue. Aligns with 'creates tax breaks primarily for wealthy'.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax credit eligibility for private school tuition, increasing educational access for higher-income families by raising income limits and adding new brackets.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 244: Higher education; establishing the Program of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma; making an appropriation. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 244 establishes the Program of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma (OU). It creates a new academic program focused on teaching American political principles, leadership, civic engagement, and foundational texts of U.S. history and government through courses for students. The program will hire faculty, develop new majors/minors, and offer courses including an upcoming requirement for all OU students to complete a civic knowledge course. It requires annual strategic plans and reports to state leadership, with initial courses launching in fall 2027. The program will operate independently on OU's Norman campus, funded by state appropriations and donations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation (funds) for a new academic program at OU, directly increasing state spending on higher education through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes mandatory civic course, funds new program at OU, and expands curriculum in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 703: Teachers; allowing a micro-credential to fulfill certain requirements for renewal of standard teaching certificate. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 703 allows Oklahoma teachers to use approved micro-credentials (short, focused training programs) instead of traditional teaching experience or college credits to renew their standard teaching certificates. It directly affects current Oklahoma teachers seeking certificate renewal, requiring the State Department of Education to identify qualifying micro-credentials from approved providers like colleges and digital platforms. The bill updates certification renewal rules to permit these credentials, which must be recognized by Oklahoma school districts at the time of use. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and is classified as an emergency measure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows teachers to use micro-credentials for certificate renewal, providing flexible professional development options instead of traditional requirements, directly supporting educator needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1298: Student assessments; directing the State Board of Education to issue a request for proposals to select certain alternative assessments. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1298 requires Oklahoma's State Board of Education to issue requests for proposals seeking at least three alternative assessments for high school students (grades 9-12) that measure college and career readiness. These assessments must be adopted by the Board and made available to school districts starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill allows parents to opt their child out of standard assessments with written consent, but requires students to take an alternative assessment instead. It directly affects high school students and school districts by expanding assessment options beyond current requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReplaces standard assessments with college/career readiness alternatives, requiring continued assessment without standard tests per parent opt-out90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 267: Higher education; establishing the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma; providing purpose; making an appropriation. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 267 establishes the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma to educate students on American political principles, leadership, and civic engagement through courses in American history, government, and free-market economics. The school, planned for the Norman campus, will operate as an academic unit with an appointed advisory board and a director responsible for curriculum development and reporting to the university provost. It receives a $5 million state appropriation for operations, requiring annual reports to state leadership by 2027. The bill aims to enhance civic education for OU students and the public, with implementation effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $5 million state appropriation for new academic school, directly funding a state program under budgetary spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes new higher education program with $5M state funding, focusing on civic education curriculum through American history and government courses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Curriculum Higher Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 683: Education; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; expanding qualifying expenses eligible for credit; requiring submission of receipt or list to claim certain qualifying expenses. Effective date.

SB 683 creates an Oklahoma income tax credit for families covering education expenses for eligible students. It directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers with children in accredited private schools or using approved alternative education methods (like homeschooling). The credit amount varies by family income: up to $7,500 annually for lower-income families ($75,000 adjusted gross income or less), decreasing to $5,000 for higher earners ($250,000+), with separate provisions for schools serving homeless or financially disadvantaged students. Qualified expenses include private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees, but exclude amounts covered by scholarships. The bill amends existing tax law to define terms and update references, effective for tax years 2024 and beyond.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for lower-income families ($75k AGI or less), providing direct tax relief under budget/tax policy95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credits for private/homeschool expenses, expanding educational access and funding options for families per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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