Oklahoma Bills Target Screens, Tests, and Access

As classrooms across the country continue to evolve in the digital age, Oklahoma House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore is putting forward a package of proposals aimed at reshaping how students learn, how they are assessed, and how families connected to public education access higher learning. Together, the measures touch on everything from daily classroom routines to the long-term goal of expanding opportunity for students pursuing college or career training.

Reining in Screen Time for Young Learners

One proposal would place firm limits on how much time students in prekindergarten through fifth grade spend in front of electronic screens during the school day. Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, screen time would be capped at one hour per day across all subjects. The definition of screen time is broad, covering teacher-directed or student-selected use of computers, tablets, televisions, Chromebooks, smart devices, or any similar electronic display.

Moore argues that this shift is about protecting childhood development and learning outcomes. He points to research showing that reducing screen time for young children supports better brain function and focus, encourages creativity, and improves sleep — all factors that shape how well children learn. In his view, face-to-face interaction with teachers and peers should remain central to the classroom experience, rather than instruction being mediated primarily through devices.

The proposal includes exceptions for students with documented special-education needs outlined in individualized education programs or 504 plans, as well as for assistive or adaptive technology required for student access.

Rethinking the Testing Calendar

Another measure targets the timing of state academic assessments. Instead of testing earlier in the spring, the proposal would require assessments in public elementary and secondary schools to be administered in May each year, starting next school year.

Moore says testing too early can cut short meaningful instruction. When assessments are scheduled earlier, he argues, students may lose valuable learning time in the final weeks of school, sometimes spending that period watching movies or only lightly reviewing material that will not be tested. Shifting exams to May, he says, gives students more time to prepare and makes the results more accurate and meaningful reflections of what they’ve learned over the full school year.

Expanding Access to Higher Learning

The third proposal focuses on expanding access to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, commonly known as Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship. The measure would broaden eligibility to include students whose parents work in public schools as counselors, librarians, school nurses, or athletic trainers, as well as those who teach in CareerTech programs. This builds on legislation passed last year that extended eligibility to children of full-time certified teachers who have taught in Oklahoma public schools for at least 10 years.

The proposal also clarifies how a certified teacher is defined and specifies that a teacher may be considered a student’s parent if they are the natural or adoptive parent or permanent legal guardian. It further extends scholarship eligibility to qualifying students seeking admission to CareerTech programs and to students who were in the custody of the state or a federally recognized Indian tribe. The application age window would also shift, raising the upper limit for students in public or private schools to apply through December 31 of their senior year.

Moore frames this expansion as a way to help more students reach college or career training, noting that college graduates earn more than high school graduates, benefiting both individual students and society as a whole. He also sees the scholarship expansion as an added benefit for those who work directly with students in public schools.

Looking Ahead

All three measures are eligible for consideration during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convened Feb. 2. While the proposals are rooted in Oklahoma’s education system, the debates they raise — about screen time, assessment practices, and access to higher education — mirror conversations happening in classrooms and statehouses nationwide.