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Senate confirms Hilliary to OU Board of Regents
Dustin Hilliary was confirmed Tuesday after lawmakers previously used his nomination hearing to discuss higher education, research and Oklahoma’s tech-transfer strategy.
Workforce
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Lowe, Pugh recognize Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalists at Capitol ceremony
Ten finalists were honored during a State Capitol event, with each educator receiving a check from the Masonic Charity Foundation; the 2026 Teacher of the Year will be named in June.
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“Are we for education or against it?” Pugh presses Senate on HB 3372
The bill creates new charter-school facilities financing tools, including a revolving loan fund and a bond credit enhancement program with a State Aid intercept mechanism.
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Stitt signs “Credential of Value” bill, creating statewide outcomes framework
House Bill 2398 authorizes the State Regents for Higher Education and CareerTech to designate qualifying degrees and certificates as “credentials of value,” backed by annual reporting on completion, employment outcomes, earnings and program costs.
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Stitt signs SB 1778, launching sweeping Strong Readers overhaul
The measure expands early screening and interventions and sets a new proficiency pathway aimed at lifting third-grade reading outcomes statewide.
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OU regents pick Hilliary clears Rules as Senate eyes R&D, tech transfer
Hilliary’s nomination moved out of Senate Rules as Sen. Kristen Thompson tied OU’s AAU ambitions to economic growth and the state’s broader push to convert research into jobs.
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Senate advances SB 1778 literacy overhaul with House amendments, sending measure to governor
The Strong Readers Act rewrite standardizes early screening, expands interventions and reporting, and sets a 2027–28 retention trigger tied to third-grade reading proficiency
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Senate advances bill to extend ‘bell to bell’ cellphone ban in schools
HB 1276 passed the Senate 41-5 and would continue requiring every public school district to enforce a daylong prohibition on student cellphones.
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Oklahoma workforce leaders move to pre‑align with federal WIOA overhaul
State agencies say structural changes now will position Oklahoma to capture flexibility and speed services when Congress updates the workforce law.
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Workforce Day brings 20+ partners to the Capitol
Public showcase connects employers, education and job seekers on training and talent.
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The cardinal and the credential
Rep. Brian Hill’s workforce bill aims to connect education and earnings with a transparent, statewide list built on data, demand and real-world outcomes.
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CareerTech Opens New Skills Center at Vinita Corrections Facility
The new facility expands workforce training inside the Northeast Oklahoma Community Corrections Center, focusing on reentry and job readiness.