Sen. Standridge files Teacher Retention Act

OKLAHOMA CITY – In an effort to help encourage and retain Oklahoma’s top educators, Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed legislation creating a process for teachers who complete their National Board Certification and meet other additional requirements to receive annual bonuses of $1,500 beginning in the 2020-21 school year. Under the legislation, depending on available revenue, that amount could be increased in subsequent years until it reaches a maximum of $5,000.

“This is for our best and brightest educators who truly go above and beyond what’s required of them,” Standridge said. “My legislation will reward those teachers and hopefully increase retention.”

Senate Bill 1127, by Standridge, creates the Teacher Retention Act of 2020. If approved, beginning July 1, 2020 the State Board of Education would provide annual bonuses to a teacher who has completed each of the following:

• National Board certification and is teaching full time in a public school.
• Received a district rating of “superior” under the Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System during the previous year.
• Has been appointed as a mentor teacher.
• Has been recommended for the bonus by their superintendent and principal with approval by the school board.

“In the 2018 session, I was proud to support legislation giving Oklahoma teachers a historic pay hike and voted for another salary increase in the 2019 session,” Standridge said. “SB 1127 gives us a way to reward excellence with bonuses in recognition of those educators who have gone the extra distance on behalf of Oklahoma’s children.