Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB12

Introduced
2/6/23  

Caption

Schools; modifying requirements with which school districts must comply to adopt certain school-hours policy. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

The bill introduces significant changes to how school hours are counted and managed across Oklahoma. By removing certain requirements established by the State Board of Education, it empowers local school boards to set policies that may diverge from previously established state guidelines. This shift aims to promote efficiency and responsiveness within individual districts, particularly those that demonstrate adequate student performance and operational cost savings. The effective date set for this legislation is July 1, 2023, indicating the state's commitment to expeditiously addressing such educational reforms.

Summary

Senate Bill 12, introduced by Senator Bullard, seeks to modify the existing requirements under Oklahoma law regarding school hours for public schools. Specifically, the bill amends Section 1-109 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which dictates the number of days and hours that schools must be in session. The proposed bill allows school districts greater flexibility in adopting their own school-hours policies provided they notify the State Board of Education before October 15 of the applicable school year. This aims to enable school districts to tailor their instructional time and schedules according to their unique needs.

Contention

While the bill offers newfound freedoms to local districts, it may raise concerns among advocates for consistent educational standards across the state. There is potential contention regarding the criteria that will be established for school districts seeking to adapt their hours, particularly around ensuring equitable education outcomes. With the requirement for districts to maintain an overview grade of 'C' or better to continue with their adopted policies, there are implications for how these educational standards are monitored and maintained, which may lead to varied educational experiences for students in different districts.

Companion Bills

OK SB12

Carry Over Schools; modifying requirements with which school districts must comply to adopt certain school-hours policy. Effective date. Emergency.

Similar Bills

MI SB1145

Education: curriculum; 1 unit of instruction in African-American, Indigenous People, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latin American, Hispanic American, Caribbean American, Arab American, North African, Chaldean American, and Jewish American history; require. Amends sec. 1278 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278) & adds secs. 1164, 1164a, 1164c, 1164d, 1164e & 1164f.

MI HB6248

Education: curriculum; 1 unit of instruction in African-American, Indigenous People, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latin American, Hispanic American, Caribbean American, Arab American, North African, Chaldean American, and Jewish American history; require. Amends sec. 1278 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278) & adds secs. 1164, 1164a, 1164c, 1164d, 1164e & 1164f.

CA SB1440

School operations: 4-day school week.

CA AB2109

Pupils: pupils with a temporary disability: individual instruction: pupils who are terminally ill: honorary diplomas.

NJ A284

Establishes flexible instructional day program to allow students to continue instruction at home when district must close its schools and to permit district to count flexible instructional days in meeting 180-day school year requirement.

MI HB4345

School aid: penalties; exception to minimum days of pupil instruction requirement for district closure during a declared state of emergency; provide for. Amends sec. 101 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1701).

MI SB0212

School aid: penalties; exception to minimum days of pupil instruction requirement for district closure during a declared state of emergency; provide for. Amends sec. 101 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1701).

MI HB5082

Education: attendance; time pupils spend at recess; allow to be counted as pupil instruction time. Amends sec. 101 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1701). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5081'23