Photo by Bakken Museum Licensed Under CC
Families and parents who would like to guide their children’s education are enjoying wins in the Sooner state thanks to continued focus on the issue from state lawmakers.
The state’s universal school choice program – the Parental Choice Tax Credit – is expanding, and more students will benefit.
Carrie Winchel at newson6.com reports the Oklahoma Tax Commission announced that “39,637 applicants were approved for the Parental Choice Tax Credit program for the 2026-27 school year. The approved applications represent $252.3 million in tax credits.”
House Bill 3705 raises the program’s cap to $275 million. Governor Kevin Stitt signed this bill in Oklahoma’s “effort to expand educational freedom for families across the state.” The Parental Choice Tax Credit program “provides refundable tax credits of $5,000 to $7,500 per student.”
The Parental Choice Tax Credit empowers Oklahoma families to guide their children’s educations. The program offers credit for homeschooling families as well. Up to $1,000 can be awarded per student to cover expenses such as textbooks and learning materials, online courses, and tutoring services.
Governor Stitt states he wants “education freedom for every family in Oklahoma.” HB 3705 “levels the playing field and ensures every parent has the freedom to choose the best education for their child.” Stitt says, “I always say kids belong to parents, not the government.”
The increase to $275 million allows more families to take advantage of the program. Oklahoma is a leader among the 18 states with universal school choice.