Education

Oklahoma Senate approves longer school year, sends bill to Stitt

April 28, 2026

Ray Carter

Members of the Oklahoma Senate have given final approval to legislation that would significantly increase the minimum number of days in a school year in Oklahoma, sending the measure to Gov. Kevin Stitt.

But even with the increase, which will take effect in the 2027-2028 school year, Oklahoma’s minimum school year will remain significantly shorter than the norm in most states.

House Bill 3151, by state Rep. Rob Hall and Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, would raise the minimum number of school days per year from 166 to 173 starting in the 2027-2028 school year, so long as lawmakers also provide another $175 million in funding over the next two years. The bill also ensures school districts provide an option for in-person parent-teacher conferences.

“Our students benefit most when they are in the classroom, learning directly from high-quality educators,” said Paxton, a Tuttle Republican whose wife was a public-school teacher. “For years, I’ve pushed to increase the number of days our kids are in school because more time in front of qualified teachers leads to better academic outcomes. House Bill 3151 is a thoughtful step in that direction, while also ensuring schools have the resources they need to meet this standard.”

HB 3151 passed the Oklahoma Senate on a 30-17 vote. It previously passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 62-28 vote.

“Time in the classroom is the single most valuable investment we can make in our students, and by increasing the minimum number of instructional days, House Bill 3151 will set students up for long-term success,” said Hall, R-Tulsa.

This year’s budget agreement includes over $230 million in new money for K-12 education, meaning the trigger in HB 3151 has already been reached, allowing the school-calendar change to take effect in the 2027-2028 school year.

Of the more than 500 school districts in Oklahoma, 176 districts do not currently meet the 173-day mandate.

For years, Oklahoma has mandated only 166 days of school each year, so long as school is in session for 1,080 hours. That’s far shorter than most states, and even the 173-day minimum required by HB 3151 is less than what most states require.

According to the Education Commission of the States, 36 states mandate a minimum number of days per school year. The commission reports that 29 states set a minimum of at least 180 days. Neighboring Kansas requires 186 days.

HB 3151 has been endorsed by a wide range of groups, including the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA), Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA), Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools (OROS), United Suburban Schools Association (USSA), ExcelinEd, and the Oklahoma State Chamber.