State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is launching a “Comprehensive Teacher Pay Reform” initiative that features a teacher recruitment signing bonus of up to $50,000. He made his plan public on Wednesday.
“For decades, Oklahoma has struggled to recruit and maintain quality teachers in the state. Under my administration, I will reverse this trend with my Comprehensive Teacher Pay Reform initiative. This will empower local school districts to compete for and attract the right talent needed for their unique circumstances. The best and brightest teachers throughout Oklahoma and the country should be teaching right here in our own backyard,” said Walters.
A certified teacher who was not in an Oklahoma classroom during the current school year and commits to five years teaching in critical shortage areas qualifies for the $15,000 to $50,000 sign in bonuses depending on experience and other criteria. Focus areas for recruitment are meant to address the critical teacher shortages in pre-kindergarten to third grade along with special education instructors.
Walters identifies American Rescue Plan relief funds and IDEA Part B and other state resources as the funding source for the signing bonuses.
Walters new initiative includes a restructuring of teacher certifications and pay scales. House Bill 4388, passed by the Legislature last year, created the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund to provide incentive bonuses for eligible teachers to continue training and education. The new teacher certifications will be advanced, lead and master. Districts will outline the requirements needed for each level. The minimum pay increases associated with achieving each level is $3,000 for advanced, $5,000 for lead, and $10,000 for master level certifications. The maximum increase allowed is $40,000. The State Department of Education will match the district increases.
Additionally, Walters is calling on the Legislature to provide $150 million for an across the board teacher pay increase.
