Oklahoma Sees Massive Growth in Teacher Recognition and Compensation
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), today announced record-breaking progress in the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program (OTEP), a performance-based merit pay initiative designed to recognize and retain top teaching talent across the state.
With a 409% increase in program participation for Fiscal Year 2025, OTEP has expanded from just 15 districts in 2023–2024 to 74 districts this year, involving over 920 teachers identified as advanced, lead, or master educators.
“This is what modern education should look like: high standards, real accountability, and meaningful rewards for great teaching,” said Walters. “By applying free-market principles to education, we’re keeping our best teachers in the classroom, attracting top talent, and making it clear that if you’re delivering for students, Oklahoma will invest in you.”
The success of the OTEP program is thanks in large part to the strong support from legislative leaders who helped champion this initiative.
“In addition to pursuing policies this session to improve education outcomes and reward teachers, I have made it a priority this session to highlight the outstanding work of our teachers by recognizing the positive impact they are making,” said Senator Adam Pugh, who authored the bill.
“Before every education committee meeting, we have been highlighting individuals who have gone above and beyond for their students with a citation and recognition. These combined measures are working and we are committing ourselves to ensuring those who dedicate their careers to the classroom are appreciated for their work and dedication.”
“OTEP reflects the conservative principle that incentives drive outcomes,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, House author of the legislation. “We’ve seen what happens when you bring free-market accountability into the classroom: great teachers stay, student achievement rises, and the whole system improves.”
Key FY25 Achievements Include:
- $5.72 million in salary increases awarded to high-performing teachers
- +58 additional districts, +739 more teachers compared to FY24
- Participation from 87% of districts returning from the 2023–2024 school year
- Growth in top-tier teacher designations:
- 66% Advanced
- 23% Lead
- 11% Master (up 2% from last year)
The OTEP framework provides a clear pathway for educators to grow professionally and be rewarded for their impact in the classroom. The state remains committed to investing in its educators and ensuring every Oklahoma student benefits from high-quality instruction led by empowered, dedicated teachers.
