Education

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1868: School curriculum; requiring teachers who present certain instruction on biological evolution to also present instruction on certain concepts. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1868 requires Oklahoma public school teachers presenting biological evolution to also teach creationism or intelligent design. It prohibits school boards and administrators from stopping teachers from objectively analyzing the scientific strengths and weaknesses of evolution, creationism, or intelligent design. The bill explicitly states its provisions must not promote any religious or non-religious doctrine. This law applies to all public school teachers and students in Oklahoma, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates teaching creationism/intelligent design in science classes, restricting standard evolution curriculum and undermining science education standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1416: Schools; creating the Teaching Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Virtue, and Excellence (THRIVE) Act; requiring development of certain education program. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1416, the THRIVE Act, requires all Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to implement a mandatory character education program focused on 15 specific traits like honesty, respect, responsibility, and "sexual abstinence outside of marriage" as part of their curriculum. The State Department of Education must develop an approved list of research-based materials and resources by the 2026-2027 school year, excluding any content contradicting these traits. Parents may opt their children out of the program via written notice, and schools must publicly share implementation details and opt-out procedures. The bill directly affects every K-12 student and school in Oklahoma, mandating a standardized character education framework aligned with state curriculum standards.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates specific moral curriculum requiring 'sexual abstinence outside marriage' and excludes content contradicting it, restricting educational content and academic freedom.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3656: Hazing; establishing reporting requirements for hazing incidents; effective date.

HB 3656 requires reporting of hazing incidents involving children under 18 to a new statewide hotline established by Oklahoma's Department of Human Services. School employees must report such incidents to the hotline and local law enforcement for students under 18, while reporting to law enforcement only for students aged 18 or older. The bill imposes criminal penalties for willful failure to report hazing (misdemeanor for initial failure, Class D1 felony for prolonged knowledge) and prohibits retaliation against reporters. This legislation expands existing child abuse and neglect reporting requirements to explicitly include hazing as a distinct reportable incident.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates reporting of hazing incidents in schools to protect students, aligning with educational safety protocols and student welfare policies.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4122: Schools; State Department of Education; domestic violence and human trafficking curriculum; ninth through twelfth grades; opt out option; effective date; emergency.

HB 4122 requires Oklahoma's State Department of Education to develop a curriculum for ninth through twelfth graders on recognizing, preventing, and seeking help for domestic violence and human trafficking by the 2027-2028 school year. The curriculum must cover warning signs of abusive behavior, promote healthy relationships, and be medically accurate for students' ages. School districts may teach it as a separate unit or integrate it into existing courses, but must provide parents or guardians an option to opt their child out. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with implementation beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new curriculum on domestic violence/human trafficking for grades 9-12, enhancing student safety education and health curriculum standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3761: Schools; prohibiting public schools and school districts from being members of any association or organization who have diversity, equity, and inclusion practices; emergency.

HB 3761 prohibits Oklahoma public schools and school districts from joining any association or organization that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, including those granting preferential treatment based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. It requires schools to review current memberships by July 1, 2026, and terminate ties with non-compliant organizations within 15 days of notice. Schools must annually submit compliance certificates to the State Board of Education by July 1, starting in 2026. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools and districts in Oklahoma, restricting their affiliations with groups promoting certain DEI initiatives.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits schools from joining DEI-focused organizations, restricting curriculum diversity initiatives and limiting educational program participation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4411: Schools; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit; Oklahoma Tax Commission website requirements; effective date.

HB 4411 amends Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit program to allow taxpayers to claim credits for private school tuition and related expenses (like textbooks and tutoring) at accredited schools, with credit amounts based on family income (up to $7,500 annually for lower-income families). It requires accredited private schools to publicly display their tuition costs and updates the Oklahoma Tax Commission's website to include program details. The bill directly affects Oklahoma parents/guardians with eligible students who choose accredited private schools and the Tax Commission in administering the program. The credit applies to qualified expenses for students attending accredited private schools or participating in approved nonpublic learning programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits for lower-income families' private school expenses, reducing taxable income for eligible parents per bill's income-based credit structure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by providing tax credits for private school tuition and related expenses, increasing funding options for lower-income families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 1893: Students; creating the Teacher Shortage Reduction Act; providing criteria for certain graduation recognition; providing criteria for certain education designation. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1893, the "Teacher Shortage Reduction Act," creates new graduation recognition and college designations to support future educators. It requires Oklahoma high schools to award a graduation "education endorsement" to students who meet specific criteria: earning a standard diploma, identifying teaching as a career goal in their academic plan, and completing an education-related apprenticeship, internship, or mentorship. For students earning this endorsement and 30+ college credits or an associate degree through concurrent enrollment, the Oklahoma State Regents must award an "education designation" on their college diploma and transcript. This designation guarantees acceptance into a college of education and grants credit for prior field experience, directly affecting high school students and higher education institutions starting with the 2027-2028 graduating class.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates 'education endorsement' for future teachers via graduation criteria and apprenticeships, directly addressing teacher shortages to strengthen educator pipeline.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 1864: Schools; removing minimum salary schedule amounts beginning in certain school year; directing certain personnel to be paid in accordance with certain salary schedule. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1864 removes Oklahoma's state-mandated minimum salary schedules for certified school personnel (including teachers) starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Instead, school districts will determine their own salary schedules for these employees, replacing the previous state-set pay tables. The bill also requires districts to provide written notice to teachers if retirement benefits would reduce their salary below the district's schedule, and allows districts to credit up to five years of out-of-state or military teaching experience toward salary. This change directly affects public school employees and districts across Oklahoma.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves state-mandated minimum teacher salaries, allowing districts to set lower pay without oversight, weakening teacher compensation protections.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves state-mandated minimum teacher salaries, allowing districts to set lower pay without state oversight, weakening wage protections for educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 4491: Schools; allowing school districts to adopt a policy for certain students to participate in extracurricular activities; eligibility requirements; definitions; standards; effective date.

HB 4491 prohibits full-time students enrolled in statewide virtual charter schools (sponsored by the Statewide Charter School Board) from participating in Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) sports and competitive extracurricular activities starting July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects these virtual charter students, who would instead be limited to intramural activities organized by their virtual school or external groups. It amends existing law to clarify that virtual charter students cannot join district-sponsored athletic associations, while allowing schools to offer their own non-competitive activities. The provision applies only to statewide virtual charter schools, not traditional public or brick-and-mortar charter schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts virtual charter students' access to competitive extracurricular activities, limiting educational opportunities and program participation for this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 3288: Schools; physical education programs; prekindergarten and elementary school; physical education instruction; recess; increases; grades six through twelve; effective date.

HB 3288 requires Oklahoma public elementary schools (prekindergarten through grade 5) to provide 60 minutes per week of dedicated physical education instruction (not counting recess) and an additional 60 minutes per week of physical activity (including recess, fitness breaks, or wellness education). It prohibits withholding physical education as punishment for students in these grades, except in safety-related situations, and mandates schools coordinate recess before testing to encourage light-to-moderate activity. The bill also encourages school districts to provide 225 minutes per week of physical education for grades 6-12, with specific curriculum standards emphasizing lifelong activity skills and accessibility for students with disabilities. These requirements are tied to school accreditation and take effect July 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates increased physical education and activity time in elementary schools, enhancing student health programs and curriculum requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Health

Track