Oklahoma Senate Rejects State Testing for Private Schools in Tax Credit Program

Proposal to require private schools in tax credit program to undergo same testing as public schools was voted down.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Oklahoma Senate debated a proposal to require private schools participating in the state's parental choice tax credit program to undergo the same state testing as public schools, but the bill was ultimately rejected. Some Republican lawmakers argued that transparency and accountability were important, while others expressed concerns that the testing requirement would "upend private education." The bill failed with a vote of 5 to 7, but the state did approve increasing the cap on the tax credit program from $250 million to $275 million and expanding what the tax credits can be spent on.

Why it matters

The debate over the private school tax credit program highlights the ongoing tensions in Oklahoma around school choice, public education accountability, and the role of private schools. The rejected testing requirement proposal reflects the Republican-controlled legislature's general support for expanding school choice options, even if it means less oversight of private institutions receiving public funds.

The details

The proposed bill would have required private schools participating in Oklahoma's parental choice tax credit program to undergo the same state testing as public schools. Supporters argued this would provide important data and transparency, but opponents feared it would "upend private education" and go against the principles of school choice. Ultimately, the bill was voted down 5 to 7, though the legislature did approve increasing the tax credit program's cap from $250 million to $275 million and expanding what the credits can be used for.

  • The bill was debated and voted on in the Oklahoma Senate on February 24, 2026.

The players

Darcy Jech

A Republican state senator from Kingfisher who supported the testing requirement, arguing that "transparency is important" and "accountability is important."

Julie Daniels

A Republican state senator from Bartlesville who opposed the testing requirement, saying "It would upend private education" if implemented.

Christi Gillespie

A Republican state senator from Broken Arrow who opposed the testing requirement, saying "Adding this to private schools actually goes against everything that we're promoting with school choice."

Dusty Deevers

A Republican state senator from Elgin who opposed the testing requirement, saying "I think this would absolutely upend educational freedom."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think transparency is important. I think accountability is important.”

— Darcy Jech, Republican state senator (koco.com)

“It would upend private education, I think, if it were implemented. I can't support the bill, but I support the concept of looking at the testing.”

— Julie Daniels, Republican state senator (koco.com)

“Adding this to private schools actually goes against everything that we're promoting with school choice.”

— Christi Gillespie, Republican state senator (koco.com)

“I think this would absolutely upend educational freedom.”

— Dusty Deevers, Republican state senator (koco.com)

What’s next

The changes to increase the tax credit program cap and expand what the credits can be used for will now move to the full Oklahoma Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

The debate over the private school tax credit program in Oklahoma highlights the ongoing tensions between school choice advocates who want to expand options for parents, and those who argue for more accountability and transparency, even for private institutions receiving public funds. The rejection of the testing requirement proposal reflects the Republican-controlled legislature's general support for expanding school choice, even if it means less oversight of private schools.