SB 242 creates Oklahoma's Veterans Entering Teaching (VET) Program, providing tuition and mandatory fee assistance to veterans discharged honorably from the U.S. Armed Forces who enroll in approved teacher preparation programs at Oklahoma colleges or universities. To qualify, veterans must commit to teaching in an Oklahoma public school district for three consecutive years after earning their degree. The program covers tuition and fees for degree completion (up to $2 million annually) but requires veterans to exhaust federal education benefits first and prohibits overlapping with another teacher training program. Failure to meet the teaching commitment requires repayment calculated based on months missed, with hardship waivers available.
SB 685 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program, creating an income-based tax credit for Oklahoma taxpayers who pay qualified education expenses for eligible students. The credit amount varies by household income (ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 annually) and applies to tuition/fees at accredited private schools or qualifying educational expenses like tutoring and materials. Taxpayers must submit receipts for qualified expenses and provide income documentation from the previous tax year to claim the credit. The bill also specifies special credit tiers for schools serving homeless students or financially disadvantaged students.
SB 756, the "Local Teacher Licensure Act," allows Oklahoma school district boards to evaluate and recommend teacher licensure applications to the State Board of Education, directly affecting school districts, teachers seeking certification, and the State Board. The bill requires the State Board to approve recommendations within 30 days or automatically approve them if all requirements are met, streamlining the process. Teacher licenses issued under this act are valid for five years and subject to standard renewal procedures. School districts must establish clear timelines for applications (20-day minimum for applicants) and decisions (30-day review), with written notifications to applicants and the State Department of Education within five business days.
HB 2287 clarifies and expands how Oklahoma defines "per-pupil expenditure" for reporting purposes. It requires school districts and the state to calculate this metric by dividing total daily school operation costs (including instruction, student support, administration, transportation, and nutrition) by the student count as of October 1. The bill specifically adds categories like career and technology education and concurrent graduation courses to the definition while excluding non-operational costs (e.g., building construction, debt). This change ensures the State Department of Education must publish detailed breakdowns of all spending categories alongside the overall per-pupil figure, starting July 1, 2025.
SB 229 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act, allowing taxpayers to claim credits for qualified education expenses for eligible students. It adjusts income-based credit limits (e.g., reducing the maximum credit from $7,500 to $5,000 for households earning over $250,000) and adds requirements for private schools serving disadvantaged students (requiring 90% of admissions to be based on income below 250% of the federal poverty level). The bill also mandates the Oklahoma Tax Commission to reallocate unused credits and removes certain notification requirements. It directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers with children enrolled in accredited private schools, homeschooling programs, or nonpublic educational settings.
HB 1281 creates a $35,000 signing bonus program for classroom teachers and school counselors returning to Oklahoma public schools after leaving the state. To qualify, applicants must have at least three years of prior experience, not have worked in an Oklahoma public school in the past year, and agree to teach full-time for five years. The State Department of Education verifies eligibility before payment and requires annual confirmation of continued employment. If false information is found or the five-year commitment isn't met, participants must repay the bonus or a pro-rated portion. The bonus is excluded from salary calculations for retirement benefits and minimum pay schedules.
SB 1271 requires Oklahoma public schools to retain third-grade students who do not meet statewide reading assessment targets on certain standardized tests, unless they qualify for limited exemptions (such as being English learners with less than one year in an English-learner program or having specific disabilities). It mandates schools provide intensive, research-based reading intervention services - including personalized plans, additional instructional time, and high-quality materials - before retention decisions. The bill also updates funding allocations for summer reading programs and requires school districts to report on student progress annually. Effective immediately as an emergency measure, the law aims to address reading proficiency gaps in early grades.
HB 1998 requires Oklahoma public schools to obtain written parental permission before students can participate in sex education classes or materials focused on sexual behavior/attitudes, and before administering surveys about sexual behavior. Schools must provide parents with prior written notice about these materials and surveys, including the option to opt their child out. The bill specifically applies to the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey (which covers mental health, substance use, and related issues) and all sex education programs for students in grades 6-12. This law directly affects parents/guardians, students, and school districts by changing consent requirements for specific curricula and surveys.
SB 1202 expands paid leave options for Oklahoma education employees by adding paternity and adoption leave to existing maternity leave provisions. The bill directly affects teachers and full-time school staff, requiring school districts to provide up to 90 days of paid leave for new parents or adoptive parents during a child’s first year. Key mechanisms include updating retirement credit rules for leave-taking and establishing a leave-sharing program where colleagues can donate sick leave to support employees caring for newborns, newly adopted children, or facing serious health issues. The legislation modifies related statutes to replace "maternity" with inclusive terms like "parental" leave and updates fund names and purposes.
HB 1280 (2025) requires Oklahoma school districts to spend at least 50% of their annual budget on classroom instruction starting in 2025-2026. If a district falls below this threshold, it must increase instructional spending by 2% annually until reaching 50%, or face a written warning and, after four years of non-compliance, a permanent 2% annual teacher pay raise for each year missed. The bill defines "annual budget" to exclude bond sales, fundraisers, and non-educational grants, and "instructional expenditures" per federal standards. The bill failed to pass (36-57) on March 27, 2025, so it is not law.
