OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation that would increase college scholarships for future teachers and a proposal that encourages individuals and businesses to make donations for scholarships sailed through the House of Representatives last week.
The bills, authored by Moore Republican Mark McBride, will now be reviewed by a State Senate committee.
McBride said House Bill 2555 would create the Oklahoma Critical Industries Scholarship program, a four-year pilot encouraging high school graduates to pursue careers in industries critical to the economic growth of the state. He said the program, administered by the state Regents for Higher Education, will match state funds up to $15 million with the same amount from private funding sources.
A companion measure, House Bill 2559, will increase funding to the Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive Program.
The program was started last year as a way to inspire high school students to enter the teaching profession. McBride said so far about 2,000 students have applied for the scholarships. This bill includes students who have graduated high school, earned their GED or who have been homeschooled.
“In order to thrive and succeed to their fullest potential in our schools, students need a knowledgeable, passionate and dedicated teacher,” McBride said in a media statement announcing the bills. “Unfortunately, Oklahoma like other states are suffering a prolonged teacher shortage. These bills will help incentivize those who choose to enter this noble profession. This will benefit our students and all of our state.”
A third bill, House Bill 2318, would expand the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship tax credit to include contributions made to eligible college and university foundations.
Currently, tax credits are capped at $25 million total for all university foundations, and $6 million per individual institution of higher education.
The Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship program grants tax credits to individuals and businesses for contributions made to non-profit organizations that then provide school scholarships to low-income students and public school districts or foundations.
This higher education piece would match scholarships already available to students in K-12, McBride said.
McBride said the bill was requested by Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma as a way to expand needs-based scholarships to eligible college students. The cap are in place, however, to ensure funds are available to regional institutions as well.
State lawmakers have until Friday, May 26 to finish their work.