Senate Passes School Open Transfer Measure

Senate Bill 783 is a step closer to becoming law. The Oklahoma Senate approved the measure on Tuesday. Senator Adam Pugh wrote the bill to allow for open transfer of students between public school year-round. Currently, parents can only apply to transfer their student to another school during two windows of time.

“Currently, there are only two short transfer windows available for students, and most of those requests are denied. The current system is too complicated and leaves families stuck because there is no opportunity to appeal their denied requests,” Pugh said. “This bill will create an appeals process at the local and state level to help empower families to take charge of their children’s education.”

SB 783 would allow the transfer application to be submitted anytime after January 1, 2022. School Boards will be required to determine and publish how many transfer students schools can handle in each grade. If the transfer limit is met, applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

The legislation also sets up an appeal process if a transfer application is denied.

“No other state service is based on geography except K-12 education. We’re also not told where we can go to the doctor, to church or to shop; and it’s time to stop telling parents where their kids have to go to school,” Pugh said. “Having the proper education to meet a child’s unique needs is the most important choice a parent can make, because it will impact their path and success in life. Senate Bill 783 gives parents the power to make this important decision for their children instead of letting zip codes choose for them.”

Next stop for SB 783 will be getting a committee assignment in the Oklahoma House.