2025-2026 Teacher Signing Bonus
Oklahoma faces a persistent shortage of Special Education Classroom Teachers certified in Mild/Moderate or Severe/Profound Special Education, which impacts districts' ability to provide quality services to students with disabilities. In response to the growing demand for Certified Special Education Classroom Teachers in Oklahoma, the OSDE proposes a targeted recruitment initiative to attract new or out-of-state certified Special Education Classroom Teachers.
The initiative offers a $20,000 signing bonus for Special Education Classroom Teachers certified in Mild/Moderate or Severe/Profound who taught out of state and a $10,000 signing bonus for Special Education Classroom Teachers certified in Mild/Moderate or Severe/Profound who will be starting their first year of teaching in the Special Education classroom during the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, 2025-2026 out-of-state program participants will receive a $5,000 retention bonus and new teacher program participants will receive a $2,500 retention bonus during the 2026-2027 school year (if they continue in a Special Education Classroom) to ensure immediate staffing needs and retention. This strategic approach will strengthen Oklahoma’s Special Education workforce and improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
Financial Incentives
- $20,000 Signing Bonus: Awarded to out-of-state Special Education Classroom Teachers certified in Mild/Moderate or Severe/Profound Special Education from out-of-state upon successful hiring and contract completion with an Oklahoma Public School.
- $10,000 Signing Bonus: Awarded to Special Education Classroom Teachers certified in Mild/Moderate or Severe/Profound Special Education, entering their first year of teaching upon successful hiring and contract completion with an Oklahoma Public School.
- $5,000 Retention Bonus: Eligible participants approved for the 2025–2026 outof-state signing bonus will receive a $5,000 retention bonus during their second year of teaching in a Special Education classroom within the same district.
- $2,500 Retention Bonus: Eligible participants approved for the 2025–2026 new teacher signing bonus will receive a $2,500 retention bonus during their second year of teaching in a Special Education classroom within the same district
