Committee Considers Legislation Restoring Stipend To Oklahoma Teachers

An Oklahoma House committee plans to take up legislation that would restore a $5,000 stipend to Oklahoma teachers who complete the National Board Certification process.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education will take up the Senate-passed measure on Monday.

Certification is a rigorous program that takes teachers up to three years to complete. State law allows educators who complete the process to receive an annual $5,000 stipend for 10 years, if funding is available.

But the State Board of Education voted last year to withhold funding the bonuses after lawmakers cut the public education budget. The board also eliminated funding for a scholarship program to help defray costs to teachers seeking National Board certification.

The measure would require the Legislature to appropriate $15 million a year for the program.