Several bills advancing this week could have a direct impact on Oklahoma educators:
- SB 1617 – Increases required pay for certified special education teachers from 5% to 10% above the district’s prevailing wage, with support from the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund.
- HB 3019 – Phases in lower class size caps for grades K–5 and ties state funding to those limits, while prohibiting schools from using volunteers in place of teacher assistants.
- SB 1342 – Raises the flexible benefit allowance for certified and support personnel to $500 per month.
- HB 3885 – Establishes mandatory disciplinary consequences for students in grades 3–5 who injure a school employee or volunteer.
- SB 26 – Allows retired Teachers’ Retirement System members to return to the classroom for up to three years with no earnings limit after a 90-day separation.
Each of these bills is still early in the legislative process and must advance through additional committee hearings and floor votes in its chamber of origin before repeating the process in the opposite chamber. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way.