Education

died · Oklahoma · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 2246: Special education; State Department of Education; develop standards; effective date.

HB 2246 requires Oklahoma's State Department of Education to develop specific standards for implementing the "least restrictive environment" requirement under federal special education law (IDEA). These standards aim to ensure students with disabilities are not unnecessarily excluded from general education classrooms. The bill directly affects students with special needs in Oklahoma public schools by mandating that the state create clear guidelines for inclusive classroom placement. The standards must be developed by the State Department of Education and take effect on November 1, 2025. The bill does not change existing federal law but directs Oklahoma to create its own implementation framework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standards for inclusive special education placement under IDEA, advancing access for students with disabilities in K-12 public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1327: Schools; prohibiting certain students from participating in school curriculum or activities; effective date.

HB 1327 prohibits students who identify as or act like imaginary animals (commonly called "furries") from participating in school curriculum or activities. The bill requires parents or guardians to pick up such students from school, or mandates animal control services to remove them. It applies directly to students engaging in this specific behavior at Oklahoma schools and takes effect November 1, 2025. The legislation does not address other student behaviors or provide exceptions for educational or therapeutic contexts. This bill is currently in committee review after its first reading in February 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits specific students from school activities, restricting educational access for a group based on identity, directly limiting participation in curriculum/activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1760: Revenue and taxation; Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act; tax credit; foundations; cap; contribution; eligibility; rules.

HB 1760 creates tax credits for Oklahoma taxpayers who contribute to eligible scholarship-granting or educational improvement organizations. It allows a 50% tax credit (up to $1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for married couples, $100,000 for businesses) on contributions, increasing to 75% for those making a multi-year commitment with written proof. The bill also modifies how credits are allocated to business owners and requires annual financial reporting from participating organizations. These credits are subject to annual caps established by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits (50-75%) for education donations, reducing taxpayer liability and directing private funds toward educational programs via fiscal incentives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credits to fund education scholarships, expanding access and increasing private funding for K-12 education through tax incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SB 795: School choice information; requiring certain information be presented prior to annual enrollment. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 795 requires Oklahoma public schools to provide parents with clear information about all state education options before enrolling a student annually. This includes details on school transfers (under the Education Open Transfer Act), private school tax credits (Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act), charter schools (Oklahoma Charter Schools Act), and scholarships for students with disabilities (Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship). Schools must post this information on their websites year-round, update it yearly, and keep physical copies available at school offices. The State Department of Education will create a centralized document for all schools to use, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates disclosure of school choice options to expand parental access to educational alternatives, advancing educational access under the topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 591: Education; creating the Free to Speak Act; prohibiting public school and certain institution of higher learning employees from addressing certain students in certain manner. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 591, the "Free to Speak Act," requires public school and state university employees in Oklahoma to use a student's legal name and pronouns matching the sex listed on their original birth certificate - without parental permission for minors. It prohibits job penalties for employees who refuse to use preferred names/pronouns inconsistent with birth certificate sex and protects students from disciplinary action for refusing to use such names/pronouns. The bill defines "sex" strictly as biological sex based on genetics and physiology as recorded on a birth certificate. Violations allow affected employees or students to seek legal remedies, including damages, within two years.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates birth certificate sex-based pronouns, restricting inclusive practices and limiting educational access for transgender students in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 1410: Agriculture; requiring operation of an Ag in the Classroom Education Program; requiring development of curriculum for K-12 programs. Effective date.

SB 1410 requires Oklahoma's Department of Agriculture to operate an "Ag in the Classroom" program for K-12 students in both rural and urban schools, developing curriculum and providing teacher training. The bill mandates that the department may offer incentives like recognition, project funds, or certificates to teachers using the program. It increases funding by raising the fee from $24 to $27 per Agricultural Awareness license plate deposited into the program's revolving fund, with excess funds specifically allocated for expanding the program into urban schools. The program must be run directly by the Department of Agriculture, with cooperation from the State Department of Education and Oklahoma State University Extension. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases funding via $3 fee hike on Ag license plates to support Ag in Classroom program, directly advancing fiscal allocation for educational initiative.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates curriculum development, teacher training, and increased funding via license plate fee hike for K-12 Ag education program, directly advancing educational access and teacher support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SJR 19: Joint resolution; disapproving in whole certain subject matter standards.

This bill (SJR 19) is a legislative disapproval resolution targeting Oklahoma's social studies subject matter standards. It formally rejects all standards approved by the State Board of Education on February 27, 2025, as required by Oklahoma law (Title 70, Section 11-103.6a-1). The resolution directs the Secretary of State to distribute copies to the Governor, State Department of Education, and "The Oklahoma Register," ensuring the disapproval is officially recorded. This action directly affects the State Board of Education's approved curriculum standards for social studies in Oklahoma schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill disapproves Oklahoma's social studies standards, directly restricting curriculum standards per Title 70, Section 11-103.6a-1.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 1981: Schools; Strong Readers Act; changing the number and timing of reading screenings for kindergarten students; effective date; emergency.

HB 1981, the "Strong Readers Act," changes reading screening requirements for Oklahoma public school students. It requires kindergarten students to be screened at the middle and end of the school year (with the first screening by December), while grades 1-3 must be screened at the beginning, middle, and end of each year. The bill mandates state-approved screening tools that assess phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and requires schools to provide individual reading intervention plans within 30 days for students not meeting grade-level targets. These plans must include research-based instruction, progress monitoring, and free online literacy resources for families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual reading screenings for K-3 with state-approved tools to identify literacy needs early, requiring individualized support to strengthen student outcomes per bill's 'Strong Readers Act' intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 841: Strong Readers Act; modifying use of Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund; modifying requirement for teacher preparation program students to complete certain training. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 841, the "Strong Readers Act," modifies how the Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund is used and changes training requirements for students in teacher preparation programs. It directs funds toward literacy programs supporting K-12 students and requires teacher candidates to complete specific literacy instruction training before certification. The bill affects school districts, literacy programs, and teacher education institutions by altering funding allocation and educator preparation standards. Signed into law on May 23, 2025, it takes effect immediately as an emergency measure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund to K-12 literacy programs and mandates teacher preparation literacy training, advancing educational quality and teacher readiness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2239: Higher Education; Tuition Assistance Act of 2025; effective date.

HB 2239 establishes the "Tuition Assistance Act of 2025" as a standalone legislative act, creating a new program for higher education tuition assistance in Oklahoma. The bill specifies an effective date of November 1, 2025, and is structured as a non-codified law (not added to Oklahoma Statutes). It does not detail specific assistance mechanisms or eligibility criteria, as it functions as a procedural framework for the program's implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates a new tuition assistance program for higher education, advancing access and affordability. Explicitly establishes a supportive framework for higher education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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