Oklahoma back-to-school guide 2025-2026

The start of the 2025-2026 school year is just around the corner, and there are some changes families need to know about. That includes new laws and new education standards.

Are Cell Phones Allowed in the Classroom?

Oklahoma public school districts are now required by state law to enact policies restricting the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the school day. Lawmakers and education advocates say prohibiting phone use can boost academic performance and improve mental health.

How the policies are written is up to the districts. Some school districts, like Owasso Public Schools, are only requiring students to have their phones off and out of sight while in the classroom. Meanwhile, Keota Public Schools is giving older students locking cell phone pouches that remain locked while students are on campus.

The law allows exemptions for emergencies and monitoring health issues.

Are School Lunches Free this Year?

There are several school districts and school sites across Oklahoma, including Tulsa Public Schools, that offer free lunch to all students through a federal program called the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP. Schools are eligible if at least 25% of students receive benefits like SNAP or Medicaid.

Students at districts or school sites that do not offer free lunch may still be eligible for free or reduced lunch. Families can apply through the school district.

Despite an announcement from Superintendent Walters, school districts across Oklahoma say they will not be covering the cost of school meals. Districts like Bixby and Broken Arrow public schools say a mandate to fully fund school lunches without any extra state or federal funding is not feasible. The announcement from Walters also got pushback from the Oklahoma Policy Institute and lawmakers.

“Feeding kids in public school should be supported through dedicated state resources, not shifted onto local districts through misrepresentation of their finance,” said Executive Director Shiloh Kantz. “That is a disservice to us and our kids.”

“If this was a real vision for our state superintendent, then this should have been discussed six months ago,” said Rep. Ellen Pogemiller (D-Oklahoma City). “District budgets are already set.”

New Education Standards in Effect

The new Social Studies standards go into effect this school year, but not without some controversy. The State Department of Education, OSDE, says the new Social Studies standards encourage critical thinking and promote American Exceptionalism.

“I am unapologetic that students will receive a pro-America education as the days of pushing woke DEI, CRT, and anti-American propaganda in our schools are over,” said Walters.

OSDE says as of July 21, curriculum framework is still being developed.

What is in the Standards?

The 2025 Social Studies Standards require students to identify Christian influences on the founding fathers and treat the Book of Exodus as a historical account. It also requires students to ‘identify discrepancies’ in the 2020 election, and study disputed claims about the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have over four dozen mentions of God, Jesus and Christianity, so we’re going to get that back in the classroom, so kids understand the role Christianity played in American history,” said Walters. “We want kids to understand what happened in 2020. We want them to understand President Trump’s election.”

Parents, educators and faith leaders filed a lawsuit saying the new standards are putting religion in public schools and spreading misinformation. The standards faced other legal questions after Board of Education members say they were not told the version they voted on had significant changes from the version publicly available at the time.

Will Bibles be in Classrooms?

The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office says the bible is already allowed in classrooms as an instructional support tool under the previous social studies standards.

Superintendent Walters says his goal is to have Bibles in every Oklahoma classroom this fall so students can learn about its “role in American history and what has made this country exceptional for nearly 250 years.” He says OSDE has partnered with singer Lee Greenwood to provide copies of Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA Bible,” endorsed by President Donald Trump in each classroom.

School districts have not said how Bibles will be integrated into the curriculum.

Financial Literacy Required to Graduate

A new law now in effect requires every high school student to pass a financial literacy course to graduate. That course can either be added to an existing class or taught on its own.

"Requiring students to master financial literacy before graduating isn't just about balancing budgets," said Representative Dick Lowe (R-Amber) when the bill was signed in 2024. "It's about laying a good foundation as they begin the next chapter of their lives by equipping them with the tools they need to navigate financial decisions thoughtfully."

What should parents do now?

Parents and guardians need to make sure their students are enrolled, fill out and return any enrollment forms needed, and set up any accounts as required by the school. For example, Tulsa and Muskogee public schools use PowerSchool to keep families updated on grades, assignments and more.

Documents needed for enrollment may include

1. Birth certificate
2. Shot records
3. IEP/504 procedures
4. Address changes

Families should check with individual school districts and school sites for school calendars, dress codes, and school supply lists.