How can Oklahoma Parents Exercise School Choice for their Children?
Parents in Oklahoma can exercise school choice for their children in multiple ways. First, in Oklahoma, there are over 38,000 students currently enrolled in public charter schools. Over two dozen Oklahoma public charter schools serve students in all 77 counties.
Second, since 2010, Oklahoma’s Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship program has provided thousands of students—students with disabilities or special needs, as well as students in Oklahoma’s foster care system or adopted out of foster care—with scholarships to attend private schools.
Third, since 2013, Oklahoma’s Equal Opportunity scholarship program has provided tuition scholarships to thousands of students from low- and middle-income families throughout the state. The program allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit when they donate to certain nonprofits to provide scholarships under the program’s guidelines.
Fourth, since 2023, Oklahoma’s Parental Choice Tax Credit provides a refundable income tax credit for eligible Oklahoma Taxpayers, who pay or expect to pay qualified expenses such as tuition and fees to eligible private schools on behalf of an eligible student that attends or plans to attend an eligible private school during that tax year.
State Department of Education
2500 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599