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Sen. Ally Seifried outlines new laws focused on technology in classrooms, learning time, and teacher shortages.
Several new education laws are set to take effect July 1, targeting everything from artificial intelligence in classrooms to statewide testing and teacher shortages.
State Sen. Ally Seifried, a Republican from Claremore, says the focus is on improving outcomes while keeping pace with changes in technology.
One change in state law comes through the Oklahoma Responsible Technology in Schools Act, which sets new guardrails for artificial intelligence in schools.
“I was really proud to unanimously pass in the House and the Senate the Oklahoma Responsible Technology in Schools Act this year,” siad Sen. Ally Seifried, R, Claremore.
The law creates a framework for how AI can be used — with teachers and parents playing a key role.
“It’s a framework to say how AI is going to be used in classrooms in the state of Oklahoma. We don’t want students to have access to anything AI without some sort of guidance or some sort of oversight in the classroom,” said Sen. Seifried. “We want to make sure that teachers always can know the output and making sure that parents are informed as well on what tools are being used.”
Seifried says the approach isn’t about limiting technology, but using it responsibly.
“We’re really interested in not being anti-tech, but also being pro-learning,” said Sen. Seifried.
She says AI can still be a powerful tool when used correctly.
“It is something that you can really offer some personalized lesson plans for teachers, or you can offer some personalized instruction for students,” said Sen. Seifried. “It really has the opportunity to specialize education and give the teacher additional tools to then instruct the student.”
At the same time, the law prioritizes safety and measurable outcomes.
“We want to make sure that everything that we’re using in the classroom is safe, that students’ data is protected, and then they’re actually moving the needle on outcomes,” said Sen. Seifried.
Another law, House Bill 4359, shifts statewide testing to the end of the school year. Sen. Seifried says the move is aimed at keeping students engaged longer.
“We’ve heard for several years that basically after the statewide assessments are conducted, no additional learning happens,” said Sen. Seifried. “You kind of lose a couple of weeks of learning.”
Lawmakers say that lost time adds up — especially as the state looks to improve academic performance.
“We really need to be looking at everything we can do to try to move the needle in the right direction,” said Sen. Seifried.
She says teachers were a big part of that conversation.
“Teachers were really supportive of it and really engaged and agreed that after the assessments, really no learning happens,” said Sen. Seifried.
A third law, House Bill 3076, focuses on the state’s ongoing teacher shortage. The measure opens the door for third-party providers to help guide teachers through certification.
“This opens the market in Oklahoma to third-party providers for alternative certification,” said Sen. Seifried.
Seifried says the change is designed to meet teachers where they are.
“This is really, really important, especially for teachers who are already working in the classroom and they already have a full schedule,” said Sen. Seifried.
The state will still oversee the program to ensure quality standards are met.
“That was one of the questions I got the most… how do you ensure quality, and we do have an answer,” said Sen. Seifried.
Ultimately, she says it’s another step toward solving a long-standing issue.
“It is another tool in the tool belt as we’re working to solve the teacher shortage,” said Sen. Seifried.
Unlike most legislation, these education laws take effect immediately to give schools time to prepare.
“Most education bills have what’s called an emergency clause because we need the bill to go into law much sooner than a typical law,” said Sen. Seifried. “So that they’re effective July 1… so that they can implement it in their school year.”
As these laws roll out, Seifried says lawmakers will continue adjusting as classrooms evolve — especially when it comes to fast-moving technology.
“These are things that pop up and you kind of have to respond in real time,” said Sen. Seifried.
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