Stitt signs bills to open state tuition scholarship program to teachers' children, expand step raises

Two highly anticipated teacher retention bills received the governor's signature Tuesday.

House Bill 1727 by Rep. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton) opens eligibility to OHLAP, the state's tuition scholarship program, to teachers who have taught in Oklahoma schools for at least 10 years.

While traditional OHLAP — also known as Oklahoma's Promise — eligibility ranges from $60,000-$80,000 in annual income, teachers' families qualify at up to 700% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that would be about $186,000.

House Bill 1087 by Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber) allows teachers to receive step raises for 10 additional years of service. Previously, step raises stopped after 25 years.

Oklahoma Governor signs bills to open state tuition scholarship program to teachers' children | KOSU