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An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 2045 By: Stanley of the Senate
and
Lowe of the House
An Act relating to schools; amending Section 1,
Chapter 493, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section
698.4), which relates to the Grow Your Own Educator
Program; modifying definition of eligible school
district; eliminating references to matching funds;
providing option for eligible schools to receive
program grants for employees taking an approved
alternative certification pathway; updating district
and Department reporting dates; allowing tuition and
fee reimbursement for employees enrolled in approved
alternative certification coursework; providing
examples of eligible coursework; requiring the State
Board of Education to promulgate rules; and declaring
an emergency.
SUBJECT: Schools
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY Section 1, Chapter 493, O.S.L.
2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 698.4), is amended to read as
follows:
Section 698.4. A. As used in this section, "eligible school
district" means a public school district or public school district
foundation in this state that has established a program to provide
ENR. S. B. NO. 2045 Page 2
tuition or loan repayment assistance to school district employees
who pursue:
1. Pursue an undergraduate degree from a teacher preparation
program accredited by the Commission for Educational Quality and
Accountability leading to a standard teaching certificate; or
2. Are enrolled in nondegree-seeking coursework required for
completion of an approved alternative certification pathway from a
teacher preparation program accredited by the Commission for
Educational Quality and Accountability leading to a standard
teaching certificate.
B. There is hereby created the Grow Your Own Educator Program
to provide matching fund grants to eligible school districts. The
program shall be established and maintained by the State Department
of Education.
C. An eligible school district seeking to participate in the
Grow Your Own Educator Program shall submit an application in the
manner and on a form prescribed by the State Department of
Education. The application shall include:
1. The amount of matching fund grants requested;
2. The position of the employee pursuing an undergraduate
degree or alternate certification coursework from a teacher
preparation program; and
3. The subject area in which the employee is pursuing an
undergraduate degree or alternate certification from a teacher
preparation program.
D. Matching fund Fund grants shall be awarded on a first-come,
first-served basis. Grants shall be provided without any limitation
other than the amount of funds available in the Grow Your Own
Educator Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 2 of this act
and the number of eligible school districts that apply.
E. By June 30, 2026 2027, and each June 30 thereafter, an
eligible school district that receives a matching fund grant
ENR. S. B. NO. 2045 Page 3
pursuant to this section shall electronically submit a report to the
State Department of Education that includes:
1. A status update on the progress the employee receiving
tuition assistance is making in the teacher preparation program in
which he or she is enrolled; or
2. The employment status of the employee receiving loan
repayment assistance.
F. By December 31, 2026 2027, and each December 31 thereafter,
the State Department of Education shall electronically submit a
report to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives that includes:
1. The school district matching fund grant recipients;
2. The amount of matching fund grants allocated to each
recipient;
3. The subject area in which the employee receiving tuition
assistance is pursuing an undergraduate degree, or the subject area
in which the employee receiving loan repayment assistance has
received an undergraduate degree; and
4. The information submitted pursuant to subsection E of this
section.
G. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to
implement the provisions of this section.
H. 1. Employees enrolled in an approved alternative
certification pathway as described in subsection A of this section
shall be eligible for tuition or course fee reimbursement through
the Grow Your Own Educator Program.
2. Eligible coursework for alternative certification may
include, but is not limited to, classes in classroom management,
pedagogy, student assessment, special education, and instructional
methodology, as determined by the State Department of Education.
ENR. S. B. NO. 2045 Page 4
3. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to
identify and approve eligible nondegree-seeking courses and
alternative certification programs that qualify under this section.
SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
ENR. S. B. NO. 2045 Page 5
Passed the Senate the 5th day of May, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 4th day of May, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________