New State Law Allows Students To Transfer To Any School District

A new state law allowing public school students to transfer to any school district at any point in the year, as long as there is an opening, is now in effect. Some districts have lots of availability while others are limited. 

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 783 into law last March and the legislation went into effect on January 1. The new legislation allows mid-year transfers to other school districts at any time with some exceptions. 

Requests are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Preference is given to children of active-duty military. 

After a district receives a transfer request, a decision must be made within 10 days. Districts are now required to post the number of openings on their respective websites. 

The latest data from Owasso Public Schools shows more than 150 vacancies, including 19 at Ator Elementary. Broken Arrow Public Schools shows 45 openings, including 10 spots for first-grade students at Wolf Creek Elementary. 

Spots are limited in the Jenks school district, according to its latest data. Only nine spots are available, all for first grade at Northwest Elementary. 

Applications for transfer students can be found on the State Department of Education's website.

Transfers can be denied by a district for reasons including attendance and disciplinary issues. Parents can appeal any denial through the local school board and then the state school board, if necessary.