Oklahoma Legislature Pushes Forward on Education Bills as Governor Takes Action on Key Legislation

April 25, 2026 - 23:18

The Oklahoma Legislature is actively advancing multiple education-related measures this session, with both the House and Senate reviewing each other’s proposed laws. This flurry of legislative activity comes as Governor Kevin Stitt has simultaneously signed and vetoed several bills, signaling a complex landscape for education policy in the state.

Among the measures gaining traction are proposals aimed at expanding school choice, including tax credit programs for private school tuition and increased funding for charter schools. Supporters argue these initiatives will give parents more options and improve educational outcomes, while opponents warn they could drain resources from already underfunded public schools. The House passed a bill that would allow state funds to follow students to non-public schools, while the Senate is considering a separate measure that would create education savings accounts for families.

Governor Stitt recently signed a bill that increases teacher pay by an average of $5,000 per year, a move praised by educators’ unions as a step toward addressing Oklahoma’s teacher shortage. However, he vetoed a separate measure that would have mandated smaller class sizes in early grades, citing concerns over unfunded mandates for local districts. Lawmakers are now weighing whether to override the veto or negotiate a compromise.

The legislative session continues to see heated debate over curriculum standards, with one bill proposing to ban certain critical race theory concepts in classrooms. Another measure would require schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, a proposal that has drawn legal challenges from civil liberties groups. As the session progresses, education remains a top priority for lawmakers, with final votes expected in the coming weeks before the adjournment deadline.