Oklahoma House Bill HB1592

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21
• Refer: 2/10/21
• Refer: 2/11/21

Caption

Schools; creating the Teach in Oklahoma Act; eliminating certain out-of-state teacher experience cap; effective date.

Impact

By removing the out-of-state experience cap, HB1592 is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Oklahoma in the recruitment of teachers. Current salary schedules will now account for more experience, which could result in higher salaries for new teachers transitioning from other states. This policy change may encourage retired teachers from other states to consider returning to the workforce in Oklahoma, thereby enriching the local educational environment with diverse teaching backgrounds and experiences. However, the implications on existing teachers' salaries and how this would affect budget allocations at school districts are yet to be fully assessed.

Summary

House Bill 1592, titled the 'Teach in Oklahoma Act', introduces significant changes to the salary structure for certified personnel in Oklahoma public schools. A key provision of the bill is the elimination of the cap on out-of-state teaching experience that was previously factored into salary determinations. This amendment allows teachers with prior experience from other states to be recognized for all their years of service, thus potentially increasing their salary upon employment in Oklahoma schools. The bill aims to attract skilled teachers from outside the state, addressing ongoing teacher shortages in Oklahoma's educational system.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits, the bill has sparked discussions regarding equity among current teachers and those being hired from out-of-state. Critics express concerns that this could lead to discrepancies in salary and benefits between long-serving teachers and newer, out-of-state hires who might command higher starting salaries due to recognized experience. Additionally, there are worries that the bill does not adequately provide assurances for funding necessary to cover the increased salary expenditures resulting from these policy changes, raising questions about the long-term fiscal sustainability for school districts across Oklahoma.