Tulsa Schools Aim to Bring Back Driver's Ed with Bond Passage

Superintendent says driver's education courses could return to Tulsa Public Schools if $3.3 million in funding is approved.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:49am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a hazy, dreamlike scene of high school students learning to drive a car on a winding road, with warm, soft pools of light and color filling the frame, conceptually representing the transformative experience of gaining independence through driver's education.The return of driver's education to Tulsa Public Schools could open up new opportunities for students to gain the skills and independence needed for future success.Today in Tulsa

Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson says the district is looking to bring back driver's education courses as part of a proposed $27 million transportation bond. The courses were eliminated at least 10 years ago, but Johnson says many students were interested in taking them when they were previously offered. The bond would allocate $3.3 million specifically for re-implementing the driver's ed program, which a local parent says would open up more options for families who currently struggle to access private driving courses.

Why it matters

Restoring driver's education at Tulsa Public Schools could provide more equitable access to driving instruction, especially for families who lack the resources to enroll their children in private driving courses. This could help prepare students for future careers and college by ensuring they have the necessary transportation and identification to get to jobs, internships, and campuses.

The details

Superintendent Ebony Johnson says the driver's ed courses could potentially be offered as an elective class, or the district could ensure all 9th grade students are aware of the opportunity to take the courses. The courses were eliminated from TPS at least 10 years ago, but Johnson remembers many students being interested in taking them when they were previously available. The $3.3 million in bond funding earmarked for the driver's ed program is part of a larger $27 million transportation bond proposition that will be on the April 7 ballot.

  • The Tulsa Public Schools bond election is set for April 7, 2026.
  • Driver's education courses were eliminated from Tulsa Public Schools at least 10 years ago.

The players

Ebony Johnson

Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, who says the district is looking to bring back driver's education courses as part of a proposed transportation bond.

Whitney Stauffer

A Tulsa Public Schools parent who says implementing driver's ed in the regular curriculum can open up many options for families who currently struggle to access private driving courses.

Bill Knight

Owner of the Bill Knight Automotive Group, who says three of his TPS student interns do not own cars or know how to drive, which presents a challenge for them working at the dealership.

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What they’re saying

“Possibly for an elective class, it could very well be an additional course that students are able to take per their request, or we can just ensure that students have the opportunity as they're coming out of eighth grade, that they know about taking that opportunity, in the 9th grade, to start early with those classes.”

— Ebony Johnson, Superintendent, Tulsa Public Schools

“Right now, they're weekend programs, and you have to book months out in advance to even get it. Even if you have the resources to do that, it's very difficult. And so, I think that's so important. If we want them to be ready for a career and ready for college, they have to be able to get to those jobs, or get to those campuses.”

— Whitney Stauffer, Tulsa Public Schools Parent

“All three of them don't own a car, all three of them don't know how to drive, which is a challenge working at a dealership. We use Uber and Lyft credits to get there. Again … a gap that needs to be closed.”

— Bill Knight, Owner, Bill Knight Automotive Group

What’s next

If the $27 million transportation bond proposition, including the $3.3 million for driver's education, is approved by voters on April 7, 2026, Tulsa Public Schools will work to re-implement the driver's ed program in the district.

The takeaway

Restoring driver's education at Tulsa Public Schools could provide more equitable access to driving instruction, especially for families who lack the resources to enroll their children in private courses. This could help prepare students for future careers and college by ensuring they have the necessary transportation and identification.