Walters cites Trump’s elimination the DOE as opening the door for state-led innovation
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Today, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) under the leadership of Superintendent Ryan Walters, announced a new, robust signing bonus initiative aimed at recruiting top talent from across the nation and supporting new teachers entering the field.
The program is designed to attract both new teachers and experienced Special Education professionals from outside the state, with additional retention bonuses available to encourage long-term commitment.
“Oklahoma is ready to lead the nation in recruiting and retaining the best Special Education teachers,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters. “Under the leadership of President Trump and the elimination of the federal Department of Education, Oklahoma now has much more flexibility to innovate and provide customized solutions for our students with disabilities. We’re seizing this opportunity to ensure the best educators are coming to Oklahoma, and we’ll be a national leader in providing top-tier Special Education services.”
Bonus Breakdown:
- $20,000 Signing Bonus: For certified Special Education teachers who taught Special Education out of state in the 2024–2025 school year and are hired to teach Special Education in an Oklahoma public school.
- $10,000 Signing Bonus: For newly certified Special Education teachers entering their first year in the profession and hired to teach Special Education in an Oklahoma public school.
- Retention Bonuses: $5,000 for out-of-state Special Education hires and $2,500 for new Special Education teachers, paid in the second year of teaching.
The program is projected to bring up to 110 Special Education teachers into Oklahoma classrooms, with a total investment of $1.875 million in bonuses and retention incentives. Funding will be distributed directly to districts, which will then provide payments to teachers after employment is verified. Applications for the 2025-2026 signing bonus program will be posted in the month of May and open through September 1, 2025 and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis through OSDE’s Single Sign-On platform
