Members of a state Senate committee have voted to restrict the routine, pre-scheduled use of virtual days in Oklahoma’s traditional public schools.
Senate Bill 758, by state Sen. Kristen Thompson, prohibits brick-and-mortar public schools from counting virtual days as part of the 180 days of instructions/1,080 hours of instruction required each school year, outside specific circumstances.
“We know that being in class with our high-quality educators, that is what’s best for our kids,” said Thompson, R-Edmond. “We know that more time in the classroom is better, not less.”
The bill allows exemptions when the governor has declared a state of emergency, the state superintendent of public instruction has approved a school’s use of virtual days, and the local school board has approved the plan.