OklahomaOklahoma schools must meet special education deadlines starting November 2026
Starting November 1, 2026, Oklahoma districts must meet special education evaluation deadlines, and missed decisions qualify students for private school scholarships under other program rules.
What it does
Starting November 1, 2026, districts must schedule a review meeting within 15 school days of a written evaluation request. Evaluations and eligibility decisions have a separate 45-school-day deadline, with federal exceptions.
Starting November 1, 2026, a missed eligibility deadline qualifies students for private school scholarships under other program rules. Initial maximum funding uses their grade level without disability factors.
Argument forFamilies could seek private school scholarships despite delayed eligibility decisions, giving them another school option when a district misses its deadline.
Argument againstA missed deadline could lead to scholarship payments before the district determines whether a student qualifies for special education services.
More detail
School districts must schedule a meeting to review existing information with a parent or guardian, complete the evaluation, and decide whether the student qualifies for special education. These duties cover Oklahoma school districts receiving a parent's or guardian's written request for a special education evaluation. Federal law may provide an exception to the 45-school-day deadline. The 45-school-day clock starts when the district receives the signed evaluation consent form. These requirements take effect November 1, 2026.
Students qualify for a Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship if their district misses the applicable deadline for deciding special education eligibility. This route covers missed 45-school-day deadlines, allowing for federal exceptions. Students must have regular, direct contact with teachers at the private school's physical location. Families must obtain admission to an approved private school and request a scholarship from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. The initial maximum uses the state school funding formula for the student's grade, without disability factors. If the district later finds the student eligible for special education, the student receives the remaining scholarship amount under the program's grade and disability formula. Tuition limits and an allowed administrative fee still apply. These rules take effect November 1, 2026. Scholarship requests made after December 1 receive funding beginning the next school year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/12/2026Became Law
- May 6Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Fourth Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- May 6Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- May 6Referred for enrollment
- May 6Fourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 71 Nays: 19Major
- May 6SA's read, adoptedMajor
- May 6SA's received
- May 6Engrossed to HouseMajor
- May 5Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Measure passed: Ayes: 33 Nays: 13Major
- May 5General Order, Amended
- Apr 22Placed on General Order
- Apr 20Reported Do Pass Rules committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Rules. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Second Reading referred to RulesMinor
- Mar 12First ReadingMinor
- Mar 12Engrossed, signed, to SenatePassed Senate
- Mar 11Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 74 Nays: 19Passed House
- Mar 11General Order
- Mar 5Authored by Senator Daniels (principal Senate author)
- Mar 5Coauthored by Representative(s) CrosswhiteHader
- Mar 5CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget CommitteeMinor
- Mar 4
- Vote recorded Appropriations And Budget Committee: Do Pass As Amended By Cs. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19Recommendation to the full committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget Education SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 18
- Vote recorded Appropriations And Budget Education Subcommittee: Do Pass As Amended By Cs. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Referred to Appropriations and Budget Education SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 11Referred to Appropriations and BudgetMinor
- Feb 11Withdrawn from Rules Committee
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Representative Caldwell (Chad)
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
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