ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 1041 By: Randleman of the House
and
Stanley
of the Senate
An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section
11-103.6, as amended by Section 51, Chapter 228, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S. Supp.
2022, Section 11-103.6), which relates to subject matter standards; authorizing
school district to issue alternate diploma to students in the Oklahoma
Alternate Assessment Program; prescribing criteria for alternate diploma;
directing individualized education program team to determine subsequent courses
and services; prohibiting preclusion from completing standard diploma
requirements; authorizing alternate diploma to count in calculating and
reporting graduation rate; requiring curriculum units for award of alternate
diploma; allowing substitution of core curriculum courses; updating statutory
language; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
SUBJECT:
Schools
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
SECTION 1.
AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 11-103.6, as amended by Section 51, Chapter 228, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S.
Supp. 2022, Section 11-103.6), is amended to read as follows:
Section 11-103.6 A. 1. The
State Board of Education shall adopt subject matter standards for instruction
of students in the public schools of this state that are necessary to ensure
there is attainment of desired levels of competencies in a variety of areas to
include language, mathematics, science, social studies, communication, and
health and physical education.
2.
School districts shall develop and implement curriculum, courses and
instruction in order to ensure that students meet the skills and competencies
as set forth in this section and in the subject matter standards adopted by the
State Board of Education.
3.
All students shall gain literacy at the elementary and secondary
levels. Students shall develop skills in
reading, writing, speaking, computing and critical thinking. For purposes of this section, critical
thinking means a manner of analytical thinking which is logical and uses linear
factual analysis to reach a conclusion.
They shall learn about cultures and environments - their own and those
of others with whom they share the earth.
All students shall receive the instruction needed to lead healthy and
physically active lifestyles. Students,
therefore, shall study social studies, literature, languages, the arts, health,
mathematics and science. Such curricula
shall provide for the teaching of a hands-on career exploration program in
cooperation with technology center schools.
4.
The subject matter standards shall be designed to teach the competencies
for which students shall be tested as provided in Section 1210.508 of this
title, and shall be designed to prepare all students for active citizenship,
employment and/or successful completion of postsecondary education without the
need for remedial coursework at the postsecondary level.
5.
The subject matter standards shall be designed with rigor as defined in
paragraph 3 of subsection G of this section.
6.
The subject matter standards for English Language Arts shall give
Classic Literature and nonfiction literature equal consideration to other
literature. In addition, emphasis shall
be given to the study of complete works of literature.
7.
At a minimum, the subject matter standards for mathematics shall require
mastery of the standard algorithms in mathematics, which is the most logical,
efficient way of solving a problem that consistently works, and for students to
attain fluency in Euclidian geometry.
8.
The subject matter standards for history, social studies and United
States Government shall include study of important historical documents,
including the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation
Proclamation, Federalist Papers and other documents with significant history
and heritage of the United States, and the content of the United States
naturalization test, with an emphasis on the specific content of the test and
the ideas and concepts it references.
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the United States
naturalization test shall be administered in accordance with subsection F of
this section.
9.
The subject matter standards for United States Government shall include
an emphasis on civics, the structure and relationship between the national,
state, county and local governments and simulations of the democratic
process. For the purposes of this
section, "civics" means the study of the rights and duties of
Oklahoma and United States citizens and of how those governments work.
10.
The subject matter standards for health and physical education shall
include but not be limited to the domains of physical, emotional, social and
intellectual health. Health literacy
shall include the ability to obtain, process and understand basic health
information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Health shall also include the importance of
proper nutrition and exercise, mental health and wellness, substance abuse,
coping skills for understanding and managing trauma, establishing and
maintaining positive relationships and responsible decision making. Physical literacy shall include the ability
to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities
in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole
person.
B. Subject to the
provisions of subsection C of this section, in order to graduate from a public
high school accredited by the State Board of Education with a standard diploma,
students shall complete the following college preparatory/work ready curriculum
units or sets of competencies at the secondary level:
1.
Four units or sets of competencies of English to include Grammar,
Composition, Literature, or any English course approved for college admission
requirements;
2.
Three units or sets of competencies of mathematics, limited to Algebra
I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Calculus, Advanced
Placement Statistics, or any mathematics course with content and/or rigor above
Algebra I and approved for college admission requirements;
3.
Three units or sets of competencies of laboratory science approved for
college admission requirements including one unit or set of competencies of
life science meeting the standards for Biology I; one unit or set of
competencies of physical science, meeting the standards for Physical Science,
Chemistry or Physics; and one unit or set of competencies from the domains of
physical science, life science or earth and space science such that the content
and rigor is above Biology I or Physical Science;
4.
Three units or sets of competencies of history and citizenship skills,
including one unit of American History, one-half unit of Oklahoma History,
one-half unit of United States Government and one unit from the subjects of
History, Government, Geography, Economics, Civics, or non-Western culture and
approved for college admission requirements;
5.
Two units or sets of competencies of the same world or non-English
language or two units of computer technology approved for college admission
requirements, whether taught at a high school or a technology center school,
including computer programming, hardware, and business computer applications,
such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics, excluding
keyboarding or typing courses;
6.
One additional unit or set of competencies selected from paragraphs 1
through 5 of this subsection or career and technology education courses,
concurrently enrolled courses, Advanced Placement courses or International
Baccalaureate courses approved for college admission requirements; and
7.
One unit or set of competencies of fine arts, such as music, art, or
drama, or one unit or set of competencies of speech.
C.
In lieu of the requirements of subsection B of this section which
requires a college preparatory/work ready curriculum, a student
may enroll in the core curriculum as provided in subsection D of this section
upon written approval of the parent or legal guardian of the student.
For students under the age of eighteen (18) school districts shall
require a parent or legal guardian of the student to meet with a designee of
the school prior to enrollment in the core curriculum. The State Department of Education shall
develop and distribute to school districts a form suitable for this purpose,
which shall include information on the benefits to students of completing the
college preparatory/work ready curriculum as provided for in subsection B of
this section.
D.
For those students subject to the requirements of subsection C of this
section, in order to graduate from a public high school accredited by the State
Board of Education with a standard diploma, students shall complete the
following core curriculum units or sets of competencies at the secondary level:
1. Language Arts – Four
units or sets of competencies, to consist of one unit or set of competencies of
grammar and composition, and three units or sets of competencies which may
include, but are not limited to, the following courses:
a. American
Literature,
b. English
Literature,
c. World
Literature,
d. Advanced
English Courses, or
e. other
English courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above grammar and
composition;
2. Mathematics – Three
units or sets of competencies to consist of one unit or set of competencies of
Algebra I or Algebra I taught in a contextual methodology, and two units or
sets of competencies which may include, but are not limited to, the following
courses:
a. Algebra
II,
b. Geometry
or Geometry taught in a contextual methodology,
c. Trigonometry,
d. Math
Analysis or Precalculus,
e. Calculus,
f. Statistics
and/or Probability,
g. Computer
Science or acceptance and successful completion of one (1) year of a full-time,
three-hour career and technology program leading to an industry
credential/certificate or college credit.
The State Board of Career and Technology Education shall promulgate
rules to define the provisions of this section related to the accepted
industry-valued credentials which are industry-endorsed or
industry-aligned. The list of accepted
industry-valued credentials shall be reviewed annually and updated at least
every three (3) years by the Board,
h. (1) contextual mathematics courses which enhance
technology preparation, or
(2) a
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) block course meeting the
requirements for course competencies listed in paragraph 2 of subsection B of
this section, whether taught at a:
(a) comprehensive
high school, or
(b) technology
center school when taken in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a
certified teacher, and approved by the State Board of Education and the
independent district board of education,
i. mathematics
courses taught at a technology center school by a teacher certified in the
secondary subject area when taken in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade upon
approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of
education, or
j. any
other mathematics course with content and/or rigor equal to or above Algebra I;
3. Science – Three units
or sets of competencies to consist of one unit or set of competencies of
Biology I or Biology I taught in a contextual methodology, and two units or
sets of competencies in the areas of life, physical, or earth science or
technology which may include, but are not limited to, the following courses:
a. Chemistry
I,
b. Physics,
c. Biology
II,
d. Chemistry
II,
e. Physical
Science,
f. Earth
Science,
g. Botany,
h. Zoology,
i. Physiology,
j. Astronomy,
k. Applied
Biology/Chemistry,
l. Applied
Physics,
m. Principles
of Technology,
n. qualified
agricultural education courses,
o. (1) contextual science courses which enhance
technology preparation, or
(2) a
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) block course meeting the
requirements for course competencies listed in paragraph 3 of subsection B of
this section, whether taught at a:
(a) comprehensive
high school, or
(b) technology
center school when taken in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a
certified teacher, and approved by the State Board of Education and the
independent district board of education,
p. science
courses taught at a technology center school by a teacher certified in the
secondary subject area when taken in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade upon
approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of
education, or
q. other
science courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology I;
4. Social Studies – Three
units or sets of competencies, to consist of one unit or set of competencies of
United States History, one-half to one unit or set of competencies of United
States Government, one-half unit or set of competencies of Oklahoma History,
and one-half to one unit or set of competencies which may include, but are not
limited to, the following courses:
a. World
History,
b. Geography,
c. Economics,
d. Anthropology,
or
e. other
social studies courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above United
States History, United States Government, and Oklahoma History;
5. Arts – One unit or set
of competencies which may include, but is not limited to, courses in Visual
Arts and General Music; and
6. Computer Education or
World Language - One unit or set of competencies of computer technology,
whether taught at a high school or a technology center school, including
computer programming, hardware and business computer applications, such as word
processing, databases, spreadsheets and graphics, excluding keyboarding or
typing courses, or one unit or set of competencies of world or non-English
language.
E. A school district
may issue an alternate diploma to a student who meets the definition of a
student with the most significant cognitive disabilities and who participates
in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) beginning in the 2023-2024
school year. An alternate diploma shall
be standards-based, aligned with requirements for a standard diploma, and
obtained by the school year in which a student turns twenty-two (22) years of
age.
F. An alternate diploma
shall not terminate a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students
with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) unless they reach the maximum
age of FAPE. The IEP team shall
determine subsequent courses and services for students who receive an alternate
diploma.
G. Students participating
in the OAAP shall not be precluded from attempting to meet the requirements of
a standard diploma and participation in the OAAP shall not determine a student's
educational setting under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
H. Students who meet
requirements for an alternate diploma may count as having received a standard
diploma for purposes of calculating and reporting the adjusted cohort
graduation rate (ACGR).
I. A student may be
awarded an alternate diploma upon completion of the following curriculum units
or sets of competencies at the secondary level:
1. Language Arts – Four
units or sets of competencies based on alternate academic achievement standards
to consist of reading literature, reading informational text, writing, speaking
and listening, and language in the following courses:
a. English 1 Alternate,
b. English 2 Alternate,
c. English 3 Alternate,
and
d. English 4 Alternate;
2. Mathematics – Three
units or sets of competencies based on alternate academic achievement standards
to consist of number, quantities, algebra, functions/statistics, probability,
and geometry in the following courses:
a. Math Alternate 1,
b. Math Alternate 2, and
c. Math Alternate 3;
3. Science – Three units
or sets of competencies based on alternate academic achievement standards to
consist of life science, physical science, and earth science in the following
courses:
a. Life Science
Alternate,
b. Physical Science
Alternate, and
c. Earth Science
Alternate;
4. Social Studies – Three
units or sets of competencies based on alternate academic achievement standards
to consist of United States History, United States Government, Oklahoma
History, Geography, and Social Studies in the following courses:
a. Social Studies Alternate
1,
b. Social Studies
Alternate 2, and
c. Social Studies
Alternate 3;
5. Arts – One unit or set
of competencies which may include, but is not limited to, courses in Visual
Arts and General Music;
6. Computer Education or
World Language - One unit or set of competencies of computer technology,
whether taught at a high school or a technology center school, including
computer programming, hardware, and business computer applications, such as
word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics, excluding keyboarding
or typing courses, or one unit or set of competencies of world or non-English
language;
7. Career Readiness – at
least two units of Career Readiness, including Career Readiness I, Career Readiness
II, Career Readiness III, or Career Readiness IV. Each Career Readiness course may be
substituted for Careers/Exploration, Internship I, or Internship II; and
8. Life Skills – at least
two units of Life Skills, such as Life Skills I, Life Skills II, Life Skills
III, or Life Skills IV. Each Life Skills
course may be substituted for the Life Skills or Family and Consumer Science
courses.
J. Courses in the core
curriculum may be used as a substitute for corresponding courses required by
the alternate diploma. Other courses may
be substituted as determined by the State Board of Education.
K. 1. In
addition to the curriculum requirements of either subsection B or D of this
section, in order to graduate from a public high school accredited by the State
Board of Education students shall complete the requirements for a personal
financial literacy passport as set forth in the Passport to Financial Literacy
Act and any additional course requirements or recommended elective courses as
may be established by the State Board of Education and the district school
board. School districts shall strongly
encourage students to complete two units or sets of competencies of world
languages and two units or sets of competencies of physical and health
education.
2. No student shall
receive credit for high school graduation more than once for completion of the
same unit or set of competencies to satisfy the curriculum requirements of this
section.
3. A school district
shall not be required to offer every course listed in subsections B and D of
this section but shall offer sufficient courses to allow a student to meet the
graduation requirements during the secondary grade years of the student.
F. L. 1. In
addition to the curriculum requirements of either subsection B or D of this
section, beginning with ninth graders in the 2021-22 school year, in order to
graduate from a public high school accredited by the State Board of Education,
students shall pass the United States naturalization test pursuant to the provisions
of this subsection.
2. School districts shall
offer the United States naturalization test to students at least once per
school year, beginning as early as eighth grade at the discretion of the school
district; provided, any student may retake the exam upon request, and as often
as desired, until earning a passing score.
For purposes of this subsection, a passing score shall be 60 out of 100
questions.
3. School districts shall
exempt students with disabilities whose individualized education program (IEP),
consistent with state law, indicates that the student is to be assessed with
alternate achievement standards through the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment
Program (OAAP) OAAP.
G. M. For purposes of this section:
1. "Contextual
methodology" means academic content and skills taught by utilizing
real-world problems and projects in a way that helps students understand the
application of that knowledge;
2. "Qualified
agricultural education courses" means courses that have been determined by
the State Board of Education to offer the sets of competencies for one or more
science content areas and which correspond to academic science courses. Qualified agricultural education courses shall
include, but are not limited to, Horticulture, Plant and Soil Science, Natural
Resources and Environmental Science, and Animal Science. The courses shall be taught by teachers
certified in agricultural education and comply with all rules of the Oklahoma
Department of Career and Technology Education;
3. "Rigor"
means a level of difficulty that is thorough, exhaustive and accurate and is
appropriate for the grade level;
4. "Sets of
competencies" means instruction in those skills and competencies that are
specified in the subject matter standards adopted by the State Board of
Education and other skills and competencies adopted by the Board, without
regard to specified instructional time; and
5. "Unit" means
a Carnegie Unit as defined by the North Central Association's Commission on
Schools.
H. N. 1. The
State Board of Education shall adopt a plan to ensure that rigor is maintained
in the content, teaching methodology, level of expectations for student
achievement, and application of learning in all the courses taught to meet the
graduation requirements as specified in this section.
2. The State Board of
Education shall allow as much flexibility at the district level as is possible
without diminishing the rigor or undermining the intent of providing these
courses. To accomplish this purpose, the
State Department of Education shall work with school districts in reviewing and
approving courses taught by districts that are not specifically listed in
subsections B and D of this section.
Options may include, but shall not be limited to, courses taken by
concurrent enrollment, advanced placement, or correspondence, or courses
bearing different titles.
3. The State Board of
Education shall approve an advanced placement computer science course to meet
the requirements of course competencies listed in paragraph 2 of subsection B
of this section if the course is taken in a student's senior year and the
student is concurrently enrolled in or has successfully completed Algebra II.
4. Technology center
school districts may offer programs designed in cooperation with institutions
of higher education which have an emphasis on a focused field of career study
upon approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district
board of education. Students in the
tenth grade may be allowed to attend these programs for up to one-half (1/2) of
a school day and credit for the units or sets of competencies required in
paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of subsection B or D of this section shall be given if
the courses are taught by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area;
provided, credit for units or sets of competencies pursuant to subsection B of
this section shall be approved for college admission requirements.
5. If a student enrolls
in a concurrent course, the school district shall not be responsible for any
costs incurred for that course, unless the school district does not offer
enough course selection during the student's secondary grade years to allow the
student to receive the courses needed to meet the graduation requirements of
this section. If the school district
does not offer the necessary course selection during the student's secondary
grade years, it shall be responsible for the cost of resident tuition at an
institution in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, fees, and books for
the concurrent enrollment course, and providing for transportation to and from
the institution to the school site.
It is the intent of the Legislature that for students enrolled
in a concurrent enrollment course which is paid for by the school district
pursuant to this paragraph, the institution charge only the supplementary and
special service fees that are directly related to the concurrent enrollment
course and enrollment procedures for that student. It is further the intent of the Legislature
that fees for student activities and student service facilities, including the
student health care and cultural and recreational service fees, not be charged
to such students.
6. Credit for the units
or sets of competencies required in subsection B or D of this section shall be
given when such units or sets of competencies are taken prior to ninth grade if
the teachers are certified or authorized to teach the subjects for high school
credit and the required rigor is maintained.
7. The three units or
sets of competencies in mathematics required in subsection B or D of this
section shall be completed in the ninth through twelfth grades. If a student completes any required courses
or sets of competencies in mathematics prior to ninth grade, the student may
take any other mathematics courses or sets of competencies to fulfill the
requirement to complete three units or sets of competencies in grades nine
through twelve after the student has satisfied the requirements of subsection B
or D of this section.
8. All units or sets of
competencies required for graduation may be taken in any sequence recommended
by the school district.
I. O. As a condition of receiving accreditation
from the State Board of Education, all students in grades nine through twelve
shall enroll in a minimum of six periods, or the equivalent in block scheduling
or other scheduling structure that allows for instruction in sets of
competencies, of rigorous academic and/or rigorous vocational courses each day,
which may include arts, vocal and instrumental music, speech classes, and
physical education classes.
J. P. 1.
Academic and vocational-technical courses designed to offer sets of
competencies integrated or embedded within the courses that provide for the
teaching and learning of the appropriate skills and knowledge in the subject
matter standards, as adopted by the State Board of Education, may, upon
approval of the Board, in consultation with the Oklahoma Department of Career
and Technology Education if the courses are offered at a technology center
school district, be counted for academic credit and toward meeting the
graduation requirements of this section.
2. Internet-based courses
offered by a technology center school that are taught by a certified teacher
and provide for the teaching and learning of the appropriate skills and
knowledge in the subject matter standards may, upon approval of the State Board
of Education and the independent district board of education, be counted for
academic credit and toward meeting the graduation requirements of this section.
3. Internet-based courses
or vocational-technical courses utilizing integrated or embedded skills for
which no subject matter standards have been adopted by the State Board of
Education may be approved by the Board, in consultation with the Oklahoma
Department of Career and Technology Education if the courses are offered at a
technology center school district, if such courses incorporate standards of
nationally recognized professional organizations and are taught by certified
teachers.
4. Courses offered by a
supplemental education organization that is accredited by a national
accrediting body and that are taught by a certified teacher and provide for the
teaching and learning of the appropriate skills and knowledge in the subject
matter standards may, upon approval of the State Board of Education and the
school district board of education, be counted for academic credit and toward
meeting the graduation requirements of this section.
K. Q. The State Board of Education shall provide an
option for high school graduation based upon attainment of the desired levels
of competencies as required in tests pursuant to the provisions of Section
1210.508 of this title. Such option
shall be in lieu of the amount of course credits earned.
L. R. The State Board of Education shall prescribe,
adopt and approve a promotion system based on the attainment by students of
specified levels of competencies in each area of the core curriculum.
M. S. Children who have individualized education
programs an IEP pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) IDEA, and who satisfy the graduation
requirements through the individualized education program for that student
shall be awarded a standard diploma.
N. T. Students who enter the ninth grade in or
prior to the 2007-08 school year who are enrolled in an alternative education
program and meet the requirements of their plans leading to high school
graduation developed pursuant to Section 1210.568 of this title shall be
awarded a standard diploma.
O. U. Any student who completes the curriculum
requirements of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program shall be
awarded a standard diploma.
P. V. Any student
who successfully completes an advanced mathematics or science course offered
pursuant to Section 1210.404 of this title shall be granted academic credit
toward meeting the graduation requirements pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3, as
appropriate, of subsection B or D of this section.
Q. W. For purposes
of this section, the courses approved for college admission requirements shall
be courses which are approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education for admission to an institution within The Oklahoma State System of
Higher Education.
R. X. Students who
have been denied a standard diploma by the school district in which the student
is or was enrolled for failing to meet the requirements of this section may
re-enroll in the school district that denied the student a standard diploma
following the denial of a standard diploma.
The student shall be provided remediation or intervention and the
opportunity to complete the curriculum units or sets of competencies required
by this section to obtain a standard diploma.
Students who re-enroll in the school district to meet the graduation
requirements of this section shall be exempt from the hourly instructional
requirements of Section 1-111 of this title and the six-period enrollment
requirements of this section.
S. Y. The State
Department of Education shall collect and report data by school site and district
on the number of students who enroll in the core curriculum as provided in
subsection D of this section.
SECTION 2.
This act shall become effective July 1, 2023.
SECTION 3.
It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace,
health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof
this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and
approval.
Passed the
House of Representatives the 8th day of March, 2023.
Presiding
Officer of the House
of
Representatives
Passed the Senate the 17th day of
April, 2023.
Presiding
Officer of the Senate
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office
of the Governor this ____________________ day of ___________________,
20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By:
_________________________________
Approved by the
Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________ day of ___________________,
20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of
the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE
OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office
of the Secretary of State this __________ day of ___________________,
20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By:
_________________________________