Education (Curriculum)

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1964: Parental rights; Parents' Bill of Rights; private right of action; review; materials; object; opt in; fine; violation; term; effective date.

HB 1964 establishes Oklahoma's "Parents' Bill of Rights," granting parents specific control over their children's education in public schools. It requires schools to provide written notice and allow parents to withdraw students from instruction or materials related to sex, gender identity, race, religion, or "social and emotional learning" programs, and to obtain written parental consent before involving students in activities promoting "ideological, philosophical, or political beliefs" (like diversity initiatives). Schools must also share details about curriculum, DEI plans, and student data collection policies, with parents able to request this information in writing within 10 days. Parents harmed by school violations can sue for damages under this bill, directly affecting public school parents, students, and school districts.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school curriculum by mandating parental consent for sensitive topics (race, gender, religion) and allowing opt-outs, limiting educational content in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 413: Schools; creating the Oklahoma Sexual Education Reform and Parental Rights Protection Act; requiring written consent for a student to participate in certain instruction. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 413 requires Oklahoma schools to obtain written parental consent before students can participate in specific sexual education instruction. It defines "optimal sexual health education" to emphasize abstinence, heterosexual relationships, and traditional family structures while prohibiting teaching gender identity outside the binary concept or promoting non-heterosexual orientations as equal. Schools must adopt procedures for parental notification and consent, update website information about curriculum, and ban certain materials deemed "obscene" or harmful to minors. The bill directly affects students in Oklahoma public schools and their parents/guardians, altering how sexual education content is delivered and approved. It amends existing statutes to implement these requirements, effective immediately as an emergency measure.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts sexual education curriculum by banning gender identity instruction and non-heterosexual content, requiring parental consent for specific instruction95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

introduced · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SJR 20: Joint resolution; disapproving in whole certain subject matter standards.

SJR 20 is a legislative resolution disapproving all social studies and science subject matter standards approved by Oklahoma's State Board of Education on February 27, 2025. It directly affects the State Board of Education, public school districts, and the Oklahoma Department of Education by reversing their adoption of these standards. The resolution cites concerns about process transparency (including late distribution of standards to new board members) and the $33 million cost to implement new curriculum and textbooks. It directs the Secretary of State to distribute the resolution to the Governor, State Department of Education, and "The Oklahoma Register."

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill cites $33M cost to implement standards and disapproves them, preventing state expenditure. Avoids government spending, aligning with 'oppose' for Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill disapproves social studies/science standards, restricting curriculum implementation and reversing educational standards adoption per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1389: Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; modifying annual limit for certain fiscal years. Emergency.

SB 1389 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act by increasing annual credit limits for parents or guardians paying qualified education expenses for eligible students. The bill sets income-based maximums: $7,500 for households earning under $75,000, decreasing to $5,000 for households earning over $250,000, with special provisions for schools serving homeless or financially disadvantaged students. It directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers who pay tuition or approved educational expenses (like curriculum, tutoring, or assessments) for students in accredited private schools or qualifying educational programs. The credit applies to tax years 2024 and beyond, with the Oklahoma Tax Commission required to publish specific administrative information. This bill adjusts existing credit limits without changing the program's core structure or eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit limits for middle-income families ($7,500 under $75k), providing direct tax relief while capping credits for higher earners.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax credits for education expenses, expanding access for lower-income families and disadvantaged students via income-based limits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Curriculum Higher Education School Choice

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1484: Schools; creating Rain's Law; requiring certain instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness; effective date; emergency.

HB 1484, known as "Rain's Law," requires Oklahoma public schools to provide annual, research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6 through 12. The bill mandates that this instruction cover suicide prevention, fentanyl abuse and addiction prevention, local resource access, and health education about fentanyl use. Schools must incorporate this content into health classes, and the State Department of Education will develop curriculum standards and resources to support implementation. The law also designates a week for "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week" to align with National Red Ribbon Week, with age-appropriate instruction determined by each school district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates fentanyl education in health curriculum for grades 6-12, enhancing student health education programs per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school-based public health education on fentanyl abuse and suicide prevention, directly advancing public health programs under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Substance Abuse

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1982: Schools; contracts for school materials; electronic textbook and instructional materials; contracts between vendors and schools; damages; definitions; effective date; emergency.

HB 1982 updates Oklahoma school contracting rules for electronic educational materials. It requires vendors to guarantee materials are ready for immediate use at delivery, provide free replacements for defects within seven days, and supply updates/support within seven days of a school's notification. The bill also mandates that electronic files for textbooks must be in formats compatible with federal accessibility standards (like Braille conversion), ensuring materials can be adapted for students with disabilities. These rules apply to digital textbooks, software, and online learning tools purchased by school districts, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates accessible electronic materials (Braille-compatible) and vendor accountability for timely support, enhancing student access and usability of educational resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates accessibility standards for electronic textbooks, ensuring digital equity and compliance with federal accessibility requirements like Braille conversion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 410: Schools; requiring students beginning certain school year to complete a computer science unit to graduate with standard diploma. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 410 requires Oklahoma public high school students in grades 8-12 to complete a computer science unit to earn a standard diploma starting with the 2024-2025 school year. This replaces the previous requirement for two world language units with a new computer technology course requirement covering programming, hardware, and business applications like spreadsheets. The bill mandates that this unit must be approved for college admission and excludes basic keyboarding or typing courses. It directly affects all students pursuing standard diplomas in Oklahoma public high schools under the updated graduation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates computer science curriculum for graduation, replacing language requirements to enhance digital literacy and modernize K-12 education standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates computer science education for all high school students, advancing digital literacy and workforce readiness through required programming/hardware curriculum.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 58: Higher education; creating the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act; providing for eligibility; allowing tuition waiver for certain time period. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 58 creates Oklahoma's First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act, providing resident tuition waivers at state colleges for eligible first responders. It directly affects peace officers (per 21 O.S. §648), fire department members (volunteer or paid), and licensed emergency medical technicians (per 63 O.S. §1-2505). Eligible students can receive tuition waivers for up to five years or until degree completion, whichever comes first, but only after exhausting other state or federal aid. The program requires applications verifying eligibility and maintaining academic standards at participating Oklahoma higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition waivers for first responders at state colleges, expanding higher education access through cost reduction for eligible groups.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tuition waivers for EMTs (medical professionals), supporting recruitment/retention in healthcare workforce, aligning with workforce development indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2025

HB 1256: Professions and occupations; construction skilled trade education; modifying contract terms; effective date.

HB 1256 creates a Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund using fines from license violations in electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing trades. The fund finances contracts between the Construction Industries Board and career tech schools to develop trade-specific curriculum and promote skilled trade careers through public campaigns. It directs fines from four licensing revolving funds into this new account, requiring grantees to report on fund usage and program success. The bill directly affects trade workers, vocational schools receiving contracts, and the Construction Industries Board, which manages the fund and oversees program implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Skilled Trade Education Fund to finance career tech curriculum development and promote skilled trade careers, directly funding educational programs at career tech schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates Skilled Trade Education Fund using license violation fines to develop curriculum and promote careers in construction trades, directly advancing workforce development and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum Professional Licensing Workforce Development

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1094: Schools; curriculum; subject matter standards; State Department of Education; curriculum resources; atrocities of communism; teaching requirements; professional learning opportunities; definitions; effective date.

HB 1094 requires Oklahoma public schools to teach about the "atrocities of communism" to students in grades six through twelve starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The State Department of Education must develop grade-appropriate curriculum resources and integrate this content into existing courses, covering causes, human costs, societal impacts, and comparisons with U.S. constitutional principles. Teachers must receive professional development on this topic, with "communism" defined to include historical regimes like the Soviet Union and Cambodia. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new curriculum content on communism's atrocities for grades 6-12, expanding required educational standards and teacher training.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track