During the 2025 Oklahoma legislative session, lawmakers concentrated on increasing in-person instruction for students by limiting virtual school days and adding classroom time to the academic calendar.
While initial legislation faced setbacks, the core idea was ultimately included in the state budget, ensuring one additional day of instruction in the 2025-26 school year.
Senate Bill 758 Restricts Virtual Learning
Governor Kevin Stitt highlighted education reform in his State of the State address, with Senate Bill 758 emerging as a central measure. Passed in late April, the bill caps the number of virtual instruction days a district can count toward state requirements to two days—or 12 hours—annually.
“Kids learn best in the classroom,” said Sen. Kristen Thompson (R-Edmond). The bill, she said, maintains flexibility for emergencies but ensures quality education by promoting in-person learning.
Resistance to Mandatory School Day Increase
While Senate Bill 409, proposed by Sen. Adam Pugh, aimed to tie funding increases to additional school days, it was rejected by the House with a 22-63 vote. Pugh and Rep. Chad Caldwell (R-Enid) expressed frustration, especially as several former educators voted against it.
Rep. Danny Sterling (R-Tecumseh) challenged the proposal’s effectiveness, asking for data to support that adding just one day would significantly improve educational outcomes. Caldwell conceded the modest impact but emphasized that “one is better than zero.“
Operational Cost Concerns
Rep. Michelle McCane (D-Tulsa) and others voiced concerns about the financial burden on schools.
Extending the school calendar, they argued, could offset the benefits of additional funding due to higher operational costs. Caldwell responded that increased investment should yield more instructional time for students.
Instructional Expansion and Teacher Pay Raise in Budget
Despite earlier rejection, elements of SB 409 resurfaced in House Bill 1087 as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget deal. It includes:
- One extra instructional day (raising the total from 180 to 181), or six more hours.
- An extended teacher salary schedule, increasing the maximum experience cap from 25 to 35 years, raising top pay from $56,049 to $60,973.
Legislative Praise for Education Measures
Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) emphasized the importance of teacher compensation, while Sen. Pugh hailed the package as progress toward educational excellence. “We are building a stronger foundation for Oklahoma’s future,” he said.
Oklahoma’s 2025 education reforms represent a shift toward prioritizing in-person learning and recognizing teacher longevity. By capping virtual instruction and modestly expanding the academic year, lawmakers aim to enhance educational quality and workforce stability.