Representative Dick Lowe

R

District 56

Hi, I'm Dick Lowe and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 56th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Apr 14, 2026
Recent Posts

Lowe, Pugh Applaud Teacher of the Year Finalists

The ten finalists for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year were recognized Friday during a ceremony at the State Capitol,  hosted by House Common Education Chairman Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber. During the ceremony, each finalist was presented with a check provided by the Masonic Charity Foundation.  Earlier that day, Lowe joined other members of the 2026 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year selection committee for interviews with the ten finalists. He praised the finalists for their dedication to students and communities across the state.  "It’s an honor to recognize these outstanding educators who are making a real difference in the lives of Oklahoma students every single day," Lowe said. "The impact of these educators reaches far beyond test scores and directly shapes the character of and opportunities for the next generation. They continually serve with excellence, compassion and an unwavering commitment to their students. I’m grateful for their service to our state, and I’m proud to celebrate the example they set for educators across Oklahoma." Senate Education Committee and Education Subcommittee Chair Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, also offered his congratulations. "I am incredibly proud to celebrate these ten remarkable educators who represent the very best of their profession," Pugh said. "These finalists have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their students, their communities and the future of our state. Oklahoma educators are second to none, and it is their dedication in the classroom every day that builds the foundation for our children’s success. Since taking office, my primary motivation has been improving education at every level. We have fought for historic teacher pay raises and common-sense reforms because we know that nothing can replace a high-quality, dedicated teacher in front of the classroom. To our 2026 finalists, I thank you for your passion and for being shining examples of excellence in Oklahoma schools. You have earned this distinction and I applaud your continued efforts."  The 2026 Teacher of the Year will be named in June. The ten finalists are: Vanessa Jones, Bethel High School, Bethel Serena Neely, Will Rogers Elementary, Shawnee Tracie Grunewald, Oklahoma Virtual High School, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy Tobi Gordon, Brink Junior High School, Moore Mary Tyree, Alva High School, Alva Ellie Pryor, Cedar Heights, Highland Park, and Horace Mann Elementary, Woodward LeeAnn Pressler, Central Middle School, Bartlesville Kasey Bennett, Northwest Heights Elementary, Durant Keely Flynn, Lindbergh Elementary, Tulsa Public Schools Elizabeth Reed, Owasso Eighth Grade Center, Owasso

Feb 26, 2026
Recent Posts

Lowe Highlights Common Ed Committee Progress

Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, today applauded the work the House Common Education Committee completed prior to the Feb. 19 deadline to pass bills out of policy committee. Lowe, a former ag teacher who chairs the Common Education Committee, said the members advanced measures focused on strengthening Oklahoma’s education system and supporting students, teachers and families across the state. "Education is one of the most important responsibilities we have as lawmakers," Lowe said. "The House Common Education Committee work to ensure every proposal is measured against a single standard: whether it improves outcomes for Oklahoma students." Measures passed by the House Common Education Committee prior to the Feb. 19 deadline include: House Bill 4358: Screen Time Limit for Young Students HB4358 , authored by Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, would limit the amount of screen time public school elementary students can receive during school . Under the bill, students in prekindergarten through fifth grades could only receive up to one hour of screen time each day. "Research is clear that limiting screen time is better for children," Moore said. "Their brain function, problem solving, creativity and focus is improved. Children thrive on face-to-face interaction with peers and instruction from live teachers. This legislation will set some healthy boundaries for children when they are in our public schools." House Bill 4359: Statewide Assessments in May This bill , also proposed by Moore, would require Oklahoma’s statewide student assessments to be administered annually during the month of May. These assessments, which are used to measure student proficiency and readiness aligned with academic standards, would take place in May beginning in the 2026-27 school year. "If state tests are held too early, students miss important preparation and instruction time," Moore said. "It's hoped this change will lead to improved academic outcomes." House Bill 3467: Maternity and Adoption Leave for Education Employees Under HB3467 , maternity leave benefits for full-time education employees would be expanded to allow leave following the adoption of a child under four years old. The measure is carried by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow. "I am grateful to see House Bill 3467 pass the House Common Education Committee," Boles said. "This bill is about recognizing that every child deserves a strong, supported start, no matter how they join a family. Adoption is a life-changing moment for both the child and the parents, and our educators should not have to choose between their career and being present for those first, critical days. This ensures they have the time to bond, to build that foundation and to truly be there when it matters most." House Bill 3711: School District Expenditure Transparency HB3711 , authored by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, would require school districts to post on their websites the percentage of total expenditures dedicated to instructional costs. It also requires this information to be included with any bond proposals or bond guarantee applications to increase transparency about how taxpayer funds are used. "Oklahoma schools devote a smaller portion of their budgets to instruction, including teacher salaries, than schools in most other states," Caldwell said. "More than 25 percent of districts spend less than half of their funding on instructional expenses. While total education funding has increased, the share our schools spend on classroom instruction has dropped, highlighting the importance of transparency and public access to clear information about how education dollars are allocated, especially when schools are asking taxpayers to voluntarily raise their taxes." House Bill 3032: Free/Reduced-Price Meals Application Requirement This bill , carried by Lowe, would require that a parent or guardian complete the application for free or reduced-price school meals as a condition of student enrollment, with an opt-out option available. "Access to school meals is essential, but too often, families miss out on programs that help children learn and thrive," Lowe said. "This bill encourages families to engage in these programs early so their schools and communities can better support student well-being." Lowe also praised members for their diligence and commitment to students. "I'm proud of the thoughtful work our members have put in to carefully evaluate each bill before us," he said. "Their preparation, engagement and respect for the process reflect the seriousness with which we must approach education policy." Each of the 16 total bills passed by the House Common Education Committee now advance to the House Education Oversight Committee. The deadline to pass bills through oversight committees is March 5.

Feb 18, 2026
Recent Posts

House Common Education Committee Unanimously Passes House Speaker’s Adjunct Teacher Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY –  The House Common Education Committee today advanced House Bill 4427, authored by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, strengthening Oklahoma’s adjunct teacher policy while prioritizing student success in early grades. House Bill 4427 updates existing statute to ensure adjunct teachers bring meaningful experience into classrooms while maintaining strong standards for student learning, particularly in the earliest grades. “We value the professionals who step into our schools with real-world experience and subject-matter expertise," Hilbert said. "We also have a responsibility to protect the quality of instruction our youngest students receive. This bill ensures we do both.” The measure clarifies that public and charter schools may hire adjunct teachers who possess distinguished qualifications in their field, as defined by the State Board of Education through formal rulemaking. For adjunct teachers who do not hold a baccalaureate degree, the bill requires they either be within two years of completing a degree program or have at least 20 years of distinguished, verifiable experience in the subject area they are hired to teach. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, adjunct teachers will no longer be permitted to teach core curriculum subjects, specifically math, English, language arts, science or social studies, in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. However, school districts may apply for a waiver for adjunct teachers who were previously employed in those roles, provided the teacher has completed professional development in the science of reading and receives approval from the State Board of Education. The bill also establishes that adjunct teachers may not serve longer than five years unless they earn a standard or alternative teaching certificate, complete the requirements for certification, or are actively on a pathway to becoming certified within two years. If certification is not achieved within that timeframe, continued employment as an adjunct teacher would not be permitted. Additionally, the State Department of Education will be required to publish an annual report outlining adjunct teacher qualifications, the subject areas in which they are teaching, and the types of distinguished experience that qualified them for the classroom. Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, who presented the bill in committee said the legislation strengthens accountability while maintaining flexibility to address workforce needs. “We are setting clearer expectations, giving direct paths to certification, and protecting early-grade instruction, all while keeping the door open for highly qualified professionals to contribute in our schools,” Lowe said. “This is a thoughtful step forward for students, parents and educators.” House Bill 4427 passed the Common Education Committee unanimously and will now advance to the Education Oversight Committee.