Education Committee hears recommendations to fill teacher pipeline

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Education Committee held an interim study Tuesday requested by Education Vice Chair Ally Seifried, Claremore–R, examining Oklahoma’s teacher pipeline. Seifried hosted the study to discuss current recruitment barriers facing Oklahoma schools, identify best practices, and review innovative policy solutions being utilized around the United States to maintain a healthy teacher workforce.

“During the 2023 session, the Senate was adamant about a staggered and meaningful teacher pay raise to help address retention issues. We want to continue to build upon the hard-earned momentum from the spring,” Seifried said. “Oklahoma is experiencing a teacher shortage, but it is also a national issue. In recent years, we’ve seen efforts to help address this and grow the pipeline, but more can be done.”

Speakers included two 30-year education veterans, Claremore Superintendent Bryan Frazier and Collinsville teacher Carol Ann Sallee, along with Eric Doss with the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center and Shannon Holston with the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Among the educators’ recommendations were hiring more paraprofessionals to help teachers deal with disruptive students and Oklahoma continuing to stay competitive with surrounding states regarding teacher pay and benefits. Additionally, they felt that leadership and culture matters.

Sallee emphasized how grateful she was for good, positive leadership and collaboration in her district.

“It makes such a difference in our day,” she said.

Holston shared that other states have found success in early exposure programs incentivizing high school and education preparation programs to develop partnerships that enable students to earn college-credit for free. “Grow Your Own” initiatives like apprenticeships, and 2+2 programs were also discussed.

“Classroom teachers are the most important in-school factor for a student’s success. Our committee will continue to be bold and innovative to help ensure we have high quality teachers in the pipeline. My goal with this study was to begin the conversation that, I hope, will continue for several sessions to come,” Seifried added.

A list of speakers and their presentations can be found at https://oksenate.gov/committees/meeting-notices/education-revised-7.

Sen. Seifried: (405) 521-5555 or Ally.Seifried@oksenate.gov