The bill establishes the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program, which aims to provide targeted tutoring for K-8 students who are at least half a grade level behind in mathematics or English language arts (ELA). Participating school districts are required to conduct in-person, subject-specific tutoring sessions for a minimum of three hours per week during designated periods in the fall and spring semesters. Districts must assess students' academic growth and report the results to the State Department of Education. Priority for participation is given to districts that receive additional support under federal law, and tutors will receive bonuses based on the number of cohorts they educate and the academic progress of their students. A new revolving fund, the High Dosage Tutoring Revolving Fund, will be created to ensure ongoing funding for this program.
Additionally, the bill amends existing laws related to teacher certification and stipends, introducing a new stipend system for advanced, lead, and master teacher certifications, which replaces previous salary increase requirements. The stipends are set at $3,000, $5,000, and $10,000 respectively, with one-time awards for teachers in economically disadvantaged schools. The bill emphasizes local control in the evaluation process for designating teachers for these certifications and specifies that stipends will not be included in salary calculations for minimum salary schedules or retirement benefits. Furthermore, the bill allows for an increase in instructional leadership days for teachers holding these certifications, with stipends paid directly through school districts. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.