Oklahoma § 70-698.4 - Grow Your Own Educator Program — Application for

§ 70-698.4. Grow Your Own Educator Program — Application for

eligible school districts — Annual reports.

A. As used in this section, “eligible school district” means a

public school district or public school district foundation in this

state that has established a program to provide tuition or loan

repayment assistance to school district employees who pursue an

undergraduate degree from a teacher preparation program accredited

by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability leading

to a standard teaching certificate.

B. There is hereby created the Grow Your Own Educator Program

to provide matching fund grants to eligible school districts. The

program shall be established and maintained by the State Department

of Education.

C. An eligible school district seeking to participate in the

Grow Your Own Educator Program shall submit an application in the

manner and on a form prescribed by the State Department of

Education. The application shall include:

1. The amount of matching fund grants requested;

2. The position of the employee pursuing an undergraduate

degree from a teacher preparation program; and

3. The subject area in which the employee is pursuing an

undergraduate degree from a teacher preparation program.

D. Matching fund grants shall be awarded on a first-come,

first-served basis. Grants shall be provided without any limitation

other than the amount of funds available in the Grow Your Own

Educator Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 2 of this act

and the number of eligible school districts that apply.

E. By June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, an eligible

school district that receives a matching fund grant pursuant to this

section shall electronically submit a report to the State Department

of Education that includes:

1. A status update on the progress the employee receiving

tuition assistance is making in the teacher preparation program in

which he or she is enrolled; or

2. The employment status of the employee receiving loan

repayment assistance.

F. By December 31, 2026, and each December 31 thereafter, the

State Department of Education shall electronically submit a report

to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the

Speaker of the House of Representatives that includes:

1. The school district matching fund grant recipients;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

2. The amount of matching fund grants allocated to each

recipient;

3. The subject area in which the employee receiving tuition

assistance is pursuing an undergraduate degree, or the subject area

in which the employee receiving loan repayment assistance has

received an undergraduate degree; and

4. The information submitted pursuant to subsection E of this

section.

G. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to

implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 2025, c. 493, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.