Oklahoma Governor Signs Laws Extending Teacher Pay, School Year, Incentives

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed multiple bills aimed at addressing teacher shortages and improving education outcomes across the state. House Bill 1087 extends the teacher salary schedule to 35 years, allowing veteran educators to receive annual pay raises for an additional decade, and increases the minimum school year to 181 days. House Bill 1727 expands eligibility for the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship, enabling children of full-time public school teachers with at least 10 years of service to qualify, provided household income is below 700% of the federal poverty level. Senate Bill 235 establishes the Grow Your Own Educator Program, providing matching funds to school districts to support tuition or loan repayment assistance for employees pursuing teaching certification. Senate Bill 140 mandates math proficiency screenings for students in grades 2 through 5 to identify those needing additional or advanced instruction. Lawmakers and education advocates emphasize that these measures aim to retain existing teachers, attract new educators from within school districts, and ultimately enhance student academic achievement statewide.