SB245 to Establish High Dosage Tutoring Program Passes Senate Appropriations Committee Unanimously

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee overwhelmingly approved Senate Bill 245 on Wednesday, advancing the bill to the full Senate for consideration. The bill, authored by Senator Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, would establish a high-dosage tutoring program in Oklahoma and passed with a 24-0 vote.

SB245 establishes a statewide high-dosage tutoring program to serve students in grades K-8 who are falling behind. Participating school districts will provide small-group tutoring sessions, ensuring students receive intensive, personalized instruction. The bill also provides performance-based incentives for educators, awarding $1,600 per semester per cohort and an additional $1,000 per student who achieves a full grade-level increase within a year.

Senator Deevers emphasized the bill’s potential to transform academic outcomes in Oklahoma, particularly for struggling students.

“We have a real opportunity to move the needle in education by equipping teachers with the tools and resources they need to help students succeed. High-dosage tutoring is a proven model that has already shown success in Oklahoma and across the country,” said Deevers. “This bill ensures that we continue investing in programs that directly improve literacy and math skills while fairly compensating our wonderful teachers for their extra time and effort.”

The bill builds upon successful pilot programs launched by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), which have already demonstrated measurable student improvement. In recent high-dosage tutoring initiatives across Oklahoma: 94% of reading students improved. 90% of math students reported increased understanding, with 84% of families seeing greater confidence in their child’s skills.

SB245 now advances to the Senate floor for debate and a full vote. If passed, the program will be implemented statewide, giving struggling students the support they need to thrive while providing educators with meaningful incentives for student growth.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Dusty Deevers at 405-521-5567 or email Dusty.Deevers@oksenate.gov.