Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB366

Introduced

2/3/25

Refer

2/4/25

Caption

Charter schools; removing language requiring a charter school application to be first submitted to certain school district. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

The removal of the district approval step has significant implications for the charter school landscape in Oklahoma. This change is designed to streamline the application process and potentially facilitate the creation of more charter schools. Proponents argue that it will foster a greater diversity of educational options by simplifying how charter proposals are brought forth and evaluated. The requirement for training is also expected to promote better governance and operational standards among charter schools and their sponsors, contributing to improved educational outcomes.

Summary

Senate Bill 366 seeks to amend the applicability of charter school applications in Oklahoma by removing the requirement for initial submission to a specific school district. Instead, it mandates the submission of applications for charter schools to a proposed sponsor starting July 1, 2024. Additionally, this bill establishes training requirements for both applicants and sponsors, ensuring that they undergo training provided by the Statewide Charter School Board on the establishment and oversight of charter schools. The emphasis on training is aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of charter schooling within the state.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, the bill has faced criticism. Opponents express concerns that bypassing local school district approval may lead to an influx of charter schools that do not adequately address community needs or standards. Additionally, the efficacy of the training requirements has been questioned, with some arguing that this does not sufficiently address broader issues rooted in accountability and oversight of charter schools. Critics fear that these changes could encourage the establishment of charter schools without proper consideration of educational quality, which may adversely affect the overall public school system.

Latest SB366 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

OK SB860

Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act; adding certain substance to Schedule I. Effective date.

OK SR15

Resolution; memorializing the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building; remembering the victims; honoring the survivors; thanking the heroic first responders; and urging continued healing.

OK SB586

Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act; modifying definition to establish certain relationship between employer and leased or contracted employee. Effective date.

OK SB284

Specie; authorizing the payment of certain public and private debts; restricting the requirement of payment in specie. Effective date.

OK SB269

Carbon sequestration; modifying jurisdiction over certain injection wells; establishing provisions for establishment of certain CO2 sequestration facilities and storage units. Effective date.

OK SB142

School personnel compensation; modifying minimum salary schedule. Effective date. Emergency.

OK SB569

Practice of nursing; providing for independent prescriptive authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who meet certain requirements. Effective date.

OK SB227

Taxation; modifying and limiting certain credits, deductions, and exemptions; modifying income tax rate for certain years. Effective date. Emergency.

Similar Bills

OK HB1489

Education; Education Reform Act of 2025; effective date.

OK HB1226

Charter schools; Oklahoma Charter Schools Act; definitions; sponsors may operate charter schools; sectarian and religious institutions as sponsors; effective date.

MI HB4158

Education: examinations; references to M-STEP to include a state-administered assessment system under section 104d of the state school aid act of 1979; modify. Amends secs. 502, 503, 522, 552 & 1279g of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.502 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4157'25