This year, the Legislature approved several bills to improve and increase Oklahoma’s teacher workforce by creating programs to incentivize high school students to become teachers.
HB 3564 requires the State Regents of Higher Education to establish a scholarship program to incentivize students entering teaching colleges. Under the program, a scholarship recipient must agree to teach in an Oklahoma public school for a minimum of five years in exchange for a $1,000 scholarship the first three years of college and $2,500 the final year. Upon graduation from an approved preparation program, a teacher may receive a payment of up to $4,000 a year for up to five years if the district documents their satisfactory service.
HB 4388 establishes advanced-, lead and master-level teacher certificates. Each level will have a minimum salary increase requirement paid by the school district and matched with lottery
Lead certificate $5,000; and
Advanced certificate includes a minimum salary increase of $3,000;
Lead certificate $5,000; and Master certificate includes a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $40,000.
Teachers with these extra certifications, who work in schools with an enrollment of at least 40% economically disadvantaged students, or a district with an enrollment less than 1,000 also receive a one-time award in addition to the increases listed above.
School districts are authorized to identify and designate the highest quality teachers for these certificates. Designation must include a teacher observation and a student performance component.
We also approved several bills to ensure Oklahoma schools continue to teach Oklahoma values.
HB 3092 requires books, multimedia sources, print and nonprint materials selected for public school libraries to reflect the community standards for the population the library serves.
SB 2 prohibits anyone of the male sex from playing on public school or collegiate athletic teams designated for females, women, or girls.
SB 615 requires changing areas and multiple occupancy restrooms in public schools to be designated for the exclusive use of the male sex or the exclusive use of the female sex, as identified on one’s original birth certificate. Public schools also must provide access to a single occupancy restroom. A school’s state funding can be reduced by 5% for noncompliance.
I also proudly voted for numerous election integrity measures to ensure our elections are secure.
HB 3046 creates the Prohibit Private Funding in Elections Act, which prohibits any government or election official from accepting anything of value for purposes of conducting state or local elections. All elections must be conducted with public funds, not including franchise elections.
HB 2974 requires the State Election Board to perform an annual query to determine how many individuals are registered at the same residential address. If more than ten registered voters share a single residential address, the State Election Board must provide a list to the secretary of the county election board who will notify the county’s district attorney to investigate any potential criminal violations. The policy does not apply to voters at nursing homes, veterans centers, state licensed facilities, medical facilities, multiunit housing, or uniformed or overseas voters.
HB 1711 allows for the electronic delivery of ballots and balloting material to blind individuals. The individual will receive an accessible absentee voting packet either electronically or by mail. Individuals may be given the opportunity to use their own computer and equipment to fill out the ballot and then print it. Voters will be required to fill out an affidavit and then return the ballot, but cannot do so electronically. The individual may request assistance.
