Bill > HB4268

This bill, known as the "Teacher Effectiveness and Excellence Act," establishes two new programs to incentivize and reward teachers in Oklahoma. Firstly, it creates a pilot "Growth-based Teacher Compensation Program" for full-time certified teachers in fourth through eighth grade English language arts and mathematics at participating schools, where eligible teachers will receive annual performance-based compensation based solely on measurable student academic growth, as determined by the Oklahoma State Testing Program and calculated using a value-added model. Secondly, it introduces a "National Board Certification Bonus Program" that provides an annual $5,000 bonus for five years to any certified teacher who obtains or maintains National Board Certification, which is a credential granted by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Both programs will be administered by the State Board of Education and funded through the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund, with bonuses and compensation not impacting a teacher's base salary or retirement benefits. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability will contract for an independent evaluation of both programs' effectiveness, with results to be reported to state leadership starting in 2028, and the entire act is set to become effective on July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb4268&Session=2600