The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA) has released the First Year Teacher Survey Report, featuring a redesigned and expanded statewide survey that provides deeper insight into the experiences of new teachers in Oklahoma classrooms.
This year’s survey represents a meaningful shift in how Oklahoma gathers and uses data to understand the experiences of new teachers. For the first time, it includes not only graduates of educator preparation programs (EPPs) but also alternatively certified, emergency certified, and adjunct teachers. This broader reach offers a more complete picture of Oklahoma’s teacher workforce.
The updated survey was developed to better inform policy decisions and program improvement. Questions were aligned with the Teacher Excellence and Support System (TESS) domains: Planning and Preparation, Classroom Environment, Instruction, and Professional Responsibilities. It also includes new items focused on priority instructional areas, including the Science of Reading.
Key findings from the 2025 report:
- Broader participation: 1,163 first-year teachers responded to the survey, representing a 40% response rate across all certification pathways.
- Teacher preparedness: Most respondents felt well-prepared in core instructional practices. For example, 88% reported being prepared to communicate with students and engage them in learning.
- Mentorship and support: Teachers who had regular support from a mentor, particularly someone in the same subject area or grade level, reported feeling more confident and better supported in their roles.
- Time spent outside of contract hours: More than three-quarters of respondents said they spend five or more hours each week preparing for instruction beyond their contracted time.
- Retention factors: Nearly 70% said the support they received during their first year influenced their decision to remain in their current teaching position.
By redesigning and expanding this survey, OEQA has created a stronger tool to support evidence-based decision-making. The data can help education leaders and EPPs identify where new teachers need the most support, how that varies by certification pathway, and how professional development can be better targeted to retain and grow effective teachers across Oklahoma.
The full 2024-2025 First Year Teacher Survey Report is available now on the OEQA website.
