Oklahoma City, OK – House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore of Clinton, R-Clinton, has filed a package of education bills aimed at improving classroom outcomes and expanding access to higher education for Oklahoma students.
House Bill 4358 would limit electronic screen time to one hour per school day for students in prekindergarten through fifth grade, beginning in the 2026–27 school year. The cap would apply across all subject areas in public schools.
Moore said research consistently shows reduced screen time for young children leads to better focus, creativity, sleep, and overall learning. He said Oklahoma students benefit most from face to face interaction with teachers and classmates rather than instruction delivered through electronic devices.
House Bill 4359 would move state academic assessments for public elementary and secondary schools to the month of May each year, starting next school year.
Moore said testing too early shortens the effective learning year and can reduce student engagement after exams are completed. Holding assessments in May would allow more instructional time and produce more accurate and meaningful results.
House Bill 4326 would expand eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, known as Oklahoma’s Promise, to children of public school counselors, librarians, nurses, athletic trainers, and CareerTech instructors.
The proposal builds on legislation Moore passed last year that extended the scholarship to children of full time certified teachers with at least 10 years of service in Oklahoma public schools. That law took effect July 1.
Moore said the goal is to increase college access and long term earning potential while also providing an added benefit to professionals who work directly with students.
House Bill 4386 further clarifies the definition of a certified teacher for scholarship eligibility. It specifies that a certified teacher includes full time classroom teachers who are standard or alternatively certified by the State Board of Education and recognized by the State Regents. The bill also defines a parent as a natural or adoptive parent or permanent legal guardian. Children of emergency or provisionally certified teachers would qualify only if they meet existing financial and eligibility requirements.
The measure would also extend Oklahoma’s Promise to qualifying students entering CareerTech programs and to students who were in the custody of the state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.
Additionally, the bill would raise the maximum application age from 17 to 18 for students enrolled in public or private schools, allowing applications from eighth grade through December 31 of the student’s senior year. Students educated through other means could apply from age 13 through 18.
All measures are eligible for consideration during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convened Feb. 2.
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