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politics1d ago
Literacy, teacher retention among Senate Education priorities for 2026 legislative session
- The Oklahoma Senate Education Chair and Vice Chair outlined the 2026 priorities, including literacy and teacher retention.
- Senator Adam Pugh proposed a $10,000 teacher retention tax credit for teachers in their eighth consecutive year.
- The plan includes extending a cell phone ban in schools to a permanent policy at the district level.
- Officials want expanded literacy support through increased interventions and HEROES program teams.
- Pugh indicated literacy will be a major topic at the State Capitol this year with two related bills under consideration.
- The priorities emphasize teacher retention, recruitment, and better use of tax dollars in funding education.
- Senate leaders emphasize collaboration with the State Department of Education amid leadership changes.
- Lawmakers plan to address paternity leave and extended recess and kindergarten options in future sessions.
- The session aims to address early-grade literacy deficiencies through targeted interventions.
- Education leaders seek to expand literacy instruction teams via the HEROES program.
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