The Oklahoma House this week approved Senate Bill 758 which limits the use of virtual instructional days per year. The bill requires local school boards to approve virtual instruction plans that address special education services, nutrition for students on free or reduced lunches, transportation to career tech programs, and assessment of students’ internet access.
“Kids learn best in the classroom,” said Senator Kristen Thompson, who carried the bill through the Senate Education Committee and floor. “Virtual days have their place in emergencies, but we’ve seen them become a go-to solution in some districts — and that’s not fair to students or families. This bill strikes the right balance by preserving flexibility without compromising the quality of education.”
Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton co-authored the bill with Thompson.
“I applaud Senator Thompson for her hard work on this priority piece of legislation, which was important to me as well,” Paxton said. “I also want to thank our House counterparts for taking this up, voting for it and sending it to the governor. I truly believe the best place for our kids to learn is in the classroom. Once this becomes law, it will help with learning, social skills and working parents who have to schedule their lives around arbitrary virtual learning days.”
If Governor Kevin Stitt signs SB 758 into law, it will go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
