Oklahoma Offers $20K Bonuses for Special Ed Teachers

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is launching an initiative to recruit special education teachers, offering up to $20,000 in signing bonuses for out-of-state educators and $10,000 for newly certified teachers. This program aims to attract 110 teachers to fill challenging positions in the 2025-26 school year, utilizing $1.875 million from federal IDEA Part B funds. Retention bonuses of $5,000 for out-of-state hires and $2,500 for new teachers are also available to encourage continued service. Applications for the bonuses will be accepted from May through September 1 on a first-come, first-served basis. State Superintendent Ryan Walters emphasizes the program's potential to make Oklahoma a leader in special education by leveraging newfound flexibility after the federal Department of Education's elimination under President Trump. Previous bonus programs have seen some teachers return their bonuses due to verification issues, a concern that Walters assures will be addressed this time.