OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a measure by Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, that would give the children of longtime public school teachers access to the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship.

House Bill 1727 would waive the scholarship's financial eligibility requirements for children of a full-time certified teacher who has taught for at least 10 years in Oklahoma public schools. The years do not have to be consecutive or at the same school.

The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), better known as Oklahoma's Promise, allows students with certain income, academic and conduct requirements to earn a college or technology tuition scholarship. The program, administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, was created in 1992 by the Legislature to help more Oklahoma families send their children to college.

"Our talented educators dedicate their lives to shaping the future of our state, and House Bill 1727 is one way we can show them that we value their work," Moore said. "By removing financial barriers to higher education for the families of longtime teachers, we are giving their children every opportunity to succeed and investing in the next generation of leaders for our state."

Moore hopes that the measure will help address the teacher shortage. He said that children of educators are more likely to follow in their parents' footsteps, and he hopes that making them eligible for Oklahoma's Promise will inspire them to stay in Oklahoma for college and launch their teaching careers in their home state.

"We've worked hard over the past decade to improve working conditions for Oklahoma teachers, increasing pay and health benefits, including paid maternity leave, while working to improve classroom conditions," said Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "Removing income restrictions so their children can qualify for the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship is just one more incentive to keep certified teachers in our classrooms long-term where their expertise and dedication is needed and appreciated."

Having passed the House 71-20, HB1727 now moves to the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond.