Out here in Western Oklahoma, summer means three things: red dirt in your truck bed, spiders in your boots, and lawmakers in Oklahoma City passing education laws like it’s the last day of the state fair and someone yelled, “Everything must go!”
While kids are busy perfecting their cannonballs and running barefoot through sticker patches, school administrators are sifting through a legislative to-do list longer than a Dollar General receipt. And now — in what might be the biggest plot twist since cafeteria meatloaf became edible — the legislature is taking aim at one of the craziest things to ever happen in schools: that’s right… kids might actually start talking to each other again.
BELL TO BELL (SB 139): PUT THE PHONES DOWN, Y’ALL
Signed into law this spring, Senate Bill 139 bans student cellphone use during the entire school day — from the first bell to the last. Unless it’s a medical emergency or a very persuasive possum attack, phones are staying holstered.
That includes smartwatches, earbuds, and anything else that might ding, buzz, or stream YouTube clips under a hoodie.
Think of it as Oklahoma’s new ‘heads up, eyes forward’ policy. Or as one Beckham County teacher put it, “Maybe now I’ll know what color my students’ eyes are again.”
Districts are required to enforce the law for one full school year starting in 2025. After that, they can choose how to proceed.
CURSIVE COMEBACK (SB 290): PENMANSHIP STRIKES AGAIN Cursive handwriting instruction is now mandatory again in Oklahoma’s elementary schools, specifically in grades 3 through 5. Supporters say it’s about more than fancy loops — it’s a cognitive and cultural skill. Critics argue it’s nostalgia dressed as policy. Either way, expect to see a lot more ‘Zaner- Bloser’ workbooks in backpacks this fall.
Parent Curriculum Committees (SB 518): Pull Up a Chair, Mom and Dad This bill gives parents a seat at the table — literally. It requires every public school district to form parent- led curriculum committees with the power to review classroom materials and provide feedback. Teachers still design the lesson plans, but parents now have a formal channel to weigh in.
UNIVERSAL MEAL APP (SB 1211): NO MORE LUNCH LINE GUESSWORK SB 1211 creates a single statewide application for free and reduced-price lunch programs, aiming to simplify access and reduce paperwork. Families will fill out just one form instead of juggling different district systems, and eligibility will carry over from year to year unless income changes.
BIBLE CURRICULUM GUIDANCE (DIRECTIVE): SCRIPTURE, YES — FUNDING, NOT YET This non-binding directive encourages schools to offer Bible-based curriculum as an elective. However, no specific state funding has been allocated. It’s a nod toward cultural heritage education, but implementation will depend on each district’s resources and willingness.
ELECTION CURRICULUM STANDARDS (SB 1899): HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW… ACTUALLY SB 1899 mandates more in-depth civics education for high school students, including updated content about voting, election processes, and media literacy. Think less ‘Schoolhouse Rock,’ more real-world civic survival kit.
At the end of the day, whether it’s banning phones or bringing back cursive, one thing’s clear: Oklahoma is rewriting the rules on how kids learn — and how adults stay involved. The governor’s bell-to-bell cellphone mandate only applies for the upcoming school year, so this is a one-year push to see what kind of impact it can make. After that, districts can decide whether to continue or not. As summer break heats up and school boards scramble to decode the new mandates, one question lingers in every household: when that first bell rings this fall, are we ready for what’s next? Maybe — just maybe — putting the phones away will help bring the grades up. We’ll tackle next summer’s changes when we get there.
