Walters Praises Senate Ed Committee after Passage of High Dosage Tutoring Program

SB 245 Passes Senate Education Committee With 9-2 Vote

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK―Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters today praised Chairman Pugh and other senators on the Education Committee for passage of Senate Bill 245, authored by Sen. Dusty Deevers, which aims to make the High Dosage Tutoring Program implemented under Supt. Walters a permanent fixture of Oklahoma's education system. In its first hearing before the Senate Education Committee, SB 245 passed with a 9-2 vote. The legislation ensures that the program, originally funded through federal COVID relief money, continues to provide critical academic support for students while compensating teachers for their time and expertise. 

Since launching in 2024, the Oklahoma State Department of Education's(OSDE) High Dosage Tutoring program has delivered measurable success, with 94% of participating students showing improvement or maintaining high accuracy scores. The program has also provided Oklahoma teachers with additional income opportunities, paying them $50 per hour for their tutoring efforts.

Superintendent Walters emphasized the importance of SB 245 in maintaining and expanding these vital programs.

"This legislation ensures that our students continue receiving the academic support they need to succeed," Walters said. "This bill not only guarantees support for students in areas they are struggling academically but also rewards teachers for catching students back up."

SB 245 is part of a broader commitment by Superintendent Walters and the OSDE to enhance tutoring opportunities across the state. Other Tutoring initiatives that the OSDE has championed under Supt. Walters include:

• Statewide Tutoring Access: OSDE partnered with Varsity Tutoring, making virtual, on-demand tutoring available to over 135,000 students across 144 districts.
• Community Tutoring Programs: Launched over school breaks to support at-risk students, with over 1,000 students participating across 60 school sites. 
• Oklahoma Math Tutoring Corps: Providing small-group virtual math tutoring for 7th-9th graders, with 90% of students reporting improved understanding. 
• Literacy Grant Award: OSDE secured the second-largest literacy grant in the nation ($58.9 million) to support reading initiatives in 25 districts over the next five years.