Representative Chad Caldwell

R

District 40

Hi, I'm Chad Caldwell and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 40th District.


representative

News & Announcements

Apr 9, 2026
Recent Posts

House Passes Legislation to Raise Cap on Parental Choice Tax Credit Act

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today secured passage off the House floor of House Bill 3705, which would give more students the ability to attend the school of their choice by increasing the Parental Choice Tax Credit cap to $275 million. “Our tax dollars should follow Oklahoma students to the school that best meets their needs,” said Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, who presented the bill on the House floor Thursday. “Oklahoma families clearly value this program, as shown by record application numbers this year. We must continue expanding access to educational options so every student has the opportunity to succeed in the environment that works best for them.” The Parental Choice Tax Credit program was established through House Bill 1934 in 2023. The program provides families with greater flexibility to choose educational settings that best suit their children. Under the program’s tiered structure, eligible families may receive refundable tax credits ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 per student for private school tuition, depending on household income. Additionally, families who homeschool may qualify for a $1,000 per-student tax credit for approved educational expenses. Currently, tax credits for private school expenses are capped at $250 million annually, while homeschooling credits are capped at $5 million per year. The cap is now increased to $275 million. "Parents should have the choice to find a school that best fits the needs of their child," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow and author of the bill. “For my daughters, the best choice for them is Bristow Public Schools. But the government shouldn’t tell other parents what is the best school for their children. This legislation simply allows parents to take some of their tax dollars to a school of their choice." House Bill 3705 passed the House by a vote of 70-19 and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Mar 25, 2026
Recent Posts

Rep. Chad Caldwell Applauds Executive Order Advancing Transparency in Oklahoma Education Funding

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Representative Chad Caldwell today voiced strong support for Gov. Stitt's recent executive order  that requires a thorough analysis of how funds are allocated and expended across school districts and school sites throughout Oklahoma. The new directive aims to increase transparency and accountability in Oklahoma’s public education system. The Executive Order requires the development of a comprehensive Oklahoma Public Schools Revenue Report to evaluate how nearly $4 billion in annual education funding is allocated and spent across the state. Caldwell said since 2018, the Legislature has increased total education funding by more than 50 percent, including teacher salaries. "Taxpayers deserve a clear, honest accounting of how their dollars are being used in our classrooms," he said. "This Executive Order is an important step toward ensuring that education funding is transparent, efficient, and ultimately focused on improving outcomes for Oklahoma students." The report will analyze key financial metrics, including revenue sources, per-pupil spending, instructional expenditures, and administrative costs. It also will examine spending efficiency across school districts and assess how resources correlate with instructional time delivered to students.  Caldwell noted that recent data presented from the Oklahoma State Department of Education underscores the importance of this effort. Despite record increases in education funding in recent years, schools are allocating a smaller share of those dollars to direct classroom instruction than they did just five years ago. On Tuesday, Caldwell passed House Bill 3711 , which would require public schools to post the percentage of funding they spend on instruction on their websites and in any bond proposals.   “One of the concerns we continue to hear is that even with historic investments in education, too little of that money is making its way into the classroom,” Caldwell said. “Transparency is the first step toward fixing that problem.”  The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, to complete the report by Aug. 31, 2026. State agencies are required to provide all necessary data to support a thorough and accurate analysis. 

Mar 17, 2026
Recent Posts

Rep. Chad Caldwell Comments on Strong Demand for Parental Choice Tax Credit

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, on Tuesday highlighted strong early demand for the Parental Choice Tax Credit (PCTC) program following the opening of the application window for the 2026–27 school year. “The Oklahoma Tax Commission reports nearly 27,000 applications for the upcoming school year were submitted on the first day alone,” Caldwell said. “That represents almost 70 percent of the total applications received for the current school year. This level of demand underscores how strongly Oklahoma families value this program and reinforces the need to expand its funding so more parents can access educational options that best meet their children’s needs.” Caldwell is the author of House Bill 3705 , which would increase the annual cap on tax credits for private school students to $300 million. The measure also includes a growth mechanism: if total credits claimed in a given year reach at least 90 percent of the cap, the cap would automatically increase by $50 million in the following year. House Bill 3705 is eligible for consideration on the House Floor. It already passed both the House Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee, which Caldwell chairs, and the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee. The Parental Choice Tax Credit program was established through House Bill 1934 in 2023. The program provides families with greater flexibility to choose educational settings that best suit their children. Under the program’s tiered structure, eligible families may receive refundable tax credits ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 per student for private school tuition, depending on household income. Additionally, families who homeschool may qualify for a $1,000 per-student tax credit for approved educational expenses. Currently, tax credits for private school expenses are capped at $250 million annually, while homeschooling credits are capped at $5 million per year. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which opened applications for the 2026–27 school year on March 16. The application period closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 15. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all required documentation before the deadline to ensure consideration. More information, including application guidance and eligibility details, is available on the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s website: https://oklahoma.gov/tax/individuals/parental-choice-tax-credit.html