OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, House Bill 1727 passed off the House Floor and now heads to the Senate for consideration. It expands Oklahoma’s Promise to children of longtime Oklahoma teachers. 

Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, a co-author of the bill, says she is encouraged by its passage and hopes for more legislation or amendments to expand the sponsorship to children of public school support staff. 

“Oklahoma’s Promise is an instrumental resource for Oklahomans looking for higher education opportunities,” McCane said. “Expanding it to the children of teachers is one way we can compensate Oklahoma educators and ensure they and their children have the best chance of success. It’s proven teachers’ children are more likely to go into an education profession, so this bill will work to retain current teachers as well as increase the number of new teachers in Oklahoma.

“I would love to one day see an amendment or perhaps a new measure that expands this to public school support staff as they are also incredibly essential to the public school system and community, but this bill is a step in the right direction. I’m happy to see this bill advance and look forward to more opportunities to improve the lives of educators and students in Oklahoma.”

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