Oklahoma House Bill HB1342

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Scholarship programs; the Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive Program; providing program eligibility to home school students; effective date.

Impact

If enacted, HB1342 would allow home-schooled students to access financial support for their teacher preparation. The bill outlines a structured scholarship program, which would provide a maximum of $5,500 in scholarship funds for qualified students pursuing education degrees. Furthermore, recipients would be incentivized to teach in Oklahoma public schools for a minimum of five years post-graduation, potentially leading to increased retention of teachers in the state. The financial incentives aim to address teacher shortages and bolster the education workforce in Oklahoma.

Summary

House Bill 1342, introduced by Representative Davis, seeks to amend the Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive Program. This program is designed to encourage prospective teachers to enter and remain in the profession in Oklahoma's public schools. The bill expands eligibility for this scholarship program to include home-schooled students, allowing them to pursue a teaching career with the support of state-funded scholarships and employment incentives. The intention is to widen the pool of potential educators in the state.

Contention

While supporters argue that this expansion of eligibility is a positive step towards filling teacher vacancies and diversifying the teaching workforce, some may raise concerns about the adequacy of funding for these scholarships and incentives. The bill places a strong emphasis on compliance with academic standards and future employment commitments, which may raise questions regarding the capacity of home-schooled individuals to meet those requirements. Additionally, any uncertainty regarding funding sources could impact the program's long-term viability and effectiveness.