Senate Approves Teacher Retention Act

The full Senate has approved legislation to encourage and retain Oklahoma’s top educators.  Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Bill 1127, the Teacher Retention Act of 2020.  

The measure creates 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 equals $5,000 when combined with other National Board Certification compensation.

“We approved much-needed pay raises for Oklahoma educators in 2018 and 2019,” said Standridge. “Senate Bill 1127 gives us another way to incentivize and reward educators who go above and beyond to enhance the educational experience of their students.”

If approved, beginning July 1, 2020, the State Board of Education would provide annual bonuses to teachers who have completed their National Board Certification and are teaching full time in an Oklahoma public school, and have met other requirements including serving as a mentor teacher and receiving recommendation for the bonus by their superintendent, principal and school board.

The measure now crosses over to the House of Representatives for consideration.

For more information, contact Sen. Rob Standridge at 405-521-5535 or email Rob.Standridge@oksenate.gov.

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