Senators Kristen Thompson and Lonnie Paxton are working together on legislation meant to limit the use of virtual school days. Senate Bill 1768 would limit the use of virtual school to inclement weather events, staff shortages caused by illness, building maintenance issues, or if found necessary by school administrators.
Thompson says when misused by a school district virtual days do not benefit students.
“As a mom of three children who attend an Oklahoma public school, I have seen firsthand the lack of quality instruction that occurs on a remote learning day. Virtual days can be extremely stressful for parents, students, and teachers who want traditional, in-person learning. We have a responsibility to our kids to ensure they receive a high-quality education, every single day. Furthermore, if Oklahoma taxpayers are footing the bill for a full day of instruction, yet our students may be receiving only 30 minutes of lessons, that is absolutely a misuse of taxpayer dollars,” Thompson said.
The legislation would require virtual school days to provide a minimum of five and half hours of instruction to K-8th students and six hours to high school students. More than half of the online or digital instruction must be synchronous, as well.
“If having a virtual or remote learning day is resulting in students receiving little or no educational instruction, then we’re ignoring our responsibility to our students and abusing the trust of the taxpayers,” Paxton said. “This legislation helps make sure that any abuse of the system is stopped.”
