Oklahoma Senate Bill SB924

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Schools; prohibiting certain districts and charter schools from using certain programs of instruction; providing penalty for violation. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

The bill establishes a compliance mechanism wherein the State Board of Education will notify schools of violations regarding the use of the banned instructional practices. Schools that do not remedy their non-compliance within sixty days after notification will face financial penalties, which entails a maximum of ten percent withholding of their monthly state aid funding. This represents a considerable shift in how public schools and charter schools handle educational guidelines, potentially influencing their operations and program implementations significantly.

Summary

Senate Bill 924 introduces significant changes to instructional practices in public schools across Oklahoma, specifically targeting reading instruction for students in kindergarten through second grade. The bill prohibits the use of instructional programs that employ the three-cueing system model of reading, which has been considered controversial among educators. This legislative move indicates a shift towards a different pedagogical approach in early literacy education, aiming to standardize methods across school districts and charter schools in the state.

Contention

The introduction of this bill might evoke a range of responses from educators and stakeholders in the education sector. Proponents see it as a necessary step toward improving literacy outcomes by eliminating perceived ineffective reading strategies. However, critics may argue that the bill undermines the autonomy of local school districts to make decisions based on the unique needs of their students. Additionally, the implementation of an education ombudsman, as dictated by the bill, raises questions about the role of oversight in education and how these officials will navigate the delicate balance between compliance enforcement and educational support.