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1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
2
3 SENATE BILL 1497 By: Hines
3
4
4
5
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
6
7 An Act relating to graduation requirements; amending
7 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11-103.6, as last amended by
8 Section 1, Chapter 264, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp.
8 2025, Section 11-103.6), which relates to curriculum
9 requirements for graduation; modifying requirements
9 for alternate diploma; conforming language; updating
10 statutory language; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section
10 1210.508, as last amended by Section 10, Chapter 492,
11 O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1210.508),
11 which relates to the statewide system of student
12 assessments; making certain assessment requirements
12 applicable to students seeking an alternate diploma;
13 updating statutory language; repealing 70 O.S. 2021,
13 Section 11-103.6, as last amended by Section 166,
14 Chapter 452, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section
14 11-103.6), which relates to curriculum requirements
15 for graduation; repealing 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11-
15 103.6, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 384,
16 O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 11-103.6),
16 which relates to curriculum requirements for
17 graduation; providing an effective date; and
17 declaring an emergency.
18
18
19
19
20 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
20
21 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11-103.6, as
21
22 last amended by Section 1, Chapter 264, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp.
22
23 2025, Section 11-103.6), is amended to read as follows:
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 1
1 Section 11-103.6. A. 1. The State Board of Education shall
1
2 adopt subject matter standards for instruction of students in the
2
3 public schools of this state that are necessary to ensure there is
3
4 attainment of desired levels of competencies in a variety of areas
4
5 to include language, mathematics, science, social studies,
5
6 communication, and health and physical education.
6
7 2. School districts shall develop and implement curriculum,
7
8 courses, and instruction in order to ensure that students meet the
8
9 skills and competencies as set forth in this section and in the
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10 subject matter standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
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11 3. All students shall gain literacy at the elementary and
11
12 secondary levels. Students shall develop skills in reading,
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13 writing, speaking, computing, and critical thinking. For purposes
13
14 of this section, critical thinking means a manner of analytical
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15 thinking which is logical and uses linear factual analysis to reach
15
16 a conclusion. They shall learn about cultures and environments -
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17 their own and those of others with whom they share the earth. All
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18 students shall receive the instruction needed to lead healthy and
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19 physically active lifestyles. Students, therefore, shall study
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20 social studies, literature, languages, the arts, health,
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21 mathematics, and science. Such curricula shall provide for the
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22 teaching of a hands-on career exploration program in cooperation
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23 with technology center schools.
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24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 2
1 4. The subject matter standards shall be designed to teach the
1
2 competencies for which students shall be tested as provided in
2
3 Section 1210.508 of this title, and shall be designed to prepare all
3
4 students for active citizenship, employment and/or, and successful
4
5 completion of postsecondary education without the need for remedial
5
6 coursework at the postsecondary level.
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7 5. The subject matter standards shall be designed with rigor as
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8 defined in paragraph 3 6 of subsection G N of this section.
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9 6. The subject matter standards for English Language Arts shall
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10 give Classic Literature and nonfiction literature equal
10
11 consideration to other literature. In addition, emphasis shall be
11
12 given to the study of complete works of literature.
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13 7. At a minimum, the subject matter standards for mathematics
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14 shall require mastery of the standard algorithms in mathematics,
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15 which is the most logical, efficient way of solving a problem that
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16 consistently works, and for students to attain fluency in Euclidian
16
17 Euclidean geometry.
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18 8. The subject matter standards for history, social studies,
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19 and United States Government shall include study of important
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20 historical documents, including the United States Constitution,
20
21 Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, Federalist
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22 Papers and other documents with significant history and heritage of
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23 the United States, and the content of the United States
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24 naturalization test, with an emphasis on the specific content of the
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Req. No. 2960 Page 3
1 test and the ideas and concepts it references. Beginning with the
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2 2022-2023 school year, the United States naturalization test shall
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3 be administered in accordance with subsection F M of this section.
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4 9. The subject matter standards for United States Government
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5 shall include an emphasis on civics, the structure and relationship
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6 between the national, state, county, and local governments and
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7 simulations of the democratic process. For the purposes of this
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8 section, "civics" means the study of the rights and duties of
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9 Oklahoma and United States citizens and of how those governments
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10 work.
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11 10. The subject matter standards for health and physical
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12 education shall include, but not be limited to, the domains of
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13 physical, emotional, social, and intellectual health. Health
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14 literacy shall include the ability to obtain, process, and
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15 understand basic health information and services needed to make
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16 appropriate health decisions. Health shall also include the
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17 importance of proper nutrition and exercise, mental health and
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18 wellness, substance abuse, coping skills for understanding and
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19 managing trauma, establishing and maintaining positive
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20 relationships, and responsible decision making. Physical health
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21 literacy shall include the ability to move with competence and
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22 confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple
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23 environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole
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24 person.
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Req. No. 2960 Page 4
1 B. Subject to the provisions of subsection C or D of this
1
2 section, in order to graduate from a public high school accredited
2
3 by the State Board of Education with a standard diploma, students
3
4 enrolled in grades eight through twelve in the 2024-2025 school year
4
5 shall complete the following college preparatory/work ready
5
6 curriculum units or sets of competencies at the secondary level:
6
7 1. Four units or sets of competencies of English to include
7
8 Grammar, Composition, Literature, or any English course approved for
8
9 college admission requirements;
9
10 2. Three units or sets of competencies of mathematics, limited
10
11 to Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis,
11
12 Calculus, Advanced Placement Statistics, or any mathematics course
12
13 with content and/or rigor above Algebra I and approved for college
13
14 admission requirements;
14
15 3. Three units or sets of competencies of laboratory science
15
16 approved for college admission requirements including one unit or
16
17 set of competencies of life science meeting the standards for
17
18 Biology I; one unit or set of competencies of physical science,
18
19 meeting the standards for Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics;
19
20 and one unit or set of competencies from the domains of physical
20
21 science, life science, or earth and space science such that the
21
22 content and rigor is above Biology I or Physical Science;
22
23 4. Three units or sets of competencies of history and
23
24 citizenship skills, including one unit of American History, one-half
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Req. No. 2960 Page 5
1 unit of Oklahoma History, one-half unit of United States Government,
1
2 and one unit from the subjects of History, Government, Geography,
2
3 Economics, Civics, or non-Western culture and approved for college
3
4 admission requirements;
4
5 5. Two units or sets of competencies of the same world or non-
5
6 English language or two units of computer technology approved for
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7 college admission requirements, whether taught at a high school or a
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8 technology center school, including computer programming, hardware,
8
9 and business computer applications, such as word processing,
9
10 databases, spreadsheets, and graphics, excluding keyboarding or
10
11 typing courses;
11
12 6. One additional unit or set of competencies selected from
12
13 paragraphs 1 through 5 of this subsection or career and technology
13
14 education courses, concurrently enrolled courses, Advanced Placement
14
15 advanced placement courses, or International Baccalaureate courses
15
16 approved for college admission requirements;
16
17 7. One-half (1/2) unit or set of competencies of personal
17
18 financial literacy, as provided in the Passport to Financial
18
19 Literacy Act, whether taught as an elective course or when taught
19
20 during instruction as provided in and subject to the standards of
20
21 subsection A of Section 11-103.6h of this title in coursework
21
22 offered by the school district or partnering technology center
22
23 school by a teacher certified in a relevant secondary subject area
23
24 and taken in the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade; and
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Req. No. 2960 Page 6
1 8. One unit or set of competencies of fine arts, such as music,
1
2 art, or drama, or one unit or set of competencies of speech.
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3 C. In lieu of the requirements of subsection B or D of this
3
4 section which requires a college preparatory/work ready curriculum,
4
5 a student enrolled in grades eight through twelve in the 2024-2025
5
6 school year may enroll in the core curriculum as provided in this
6
7 subsection D of this section upon written approval of the parent or
7
8 legal guardian of the student. For students under the age of
8
9 eighteen (18), school districts shall require a parent or legal
9
10 guardian of the student to meet with a designee of the school prior
10
11 to enrollment in the core curriculum. The State Department of
11
12 Education shall develop and distribute to school districts a form
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13 suitable for this purpose, which shall include information on the
13
14 benefits to students of completing the college preparatory/work
14
15 ready curriculum as provided for in subsection B of this section.
15
16 D. For those students subject to the requirements of subsection
16
17 C of this section, in In order to graduate from a public high school
17
18 accredited by the State Board of Education with a standard diploma,
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19 students enrolled in grades eight through twelve in the 2024-2025
19
20 school year shall complete the following core curriculum units or
20
21 sets of competencies at the secondary level:
21
22 1. Language Arts � Four units or sets of competencies, to
22
23 consist of one unit or set of competencies of grammar and
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 7
1 composition, and three units or sets of competencies which may
1
2 include, but are not limited to, the following courses:
2
3 a. American Literature,
3
4 b. English Literature,
4
5 c. World Literature,
5
6 d. Advanced English Courses, or
6
7 e. other English courses with content and/or rigor equal
7
8 to or above grammar and composition;
8
9 2. Mathematics � Three units or sets of competencies to consist
9
10 of one unit or set of competencies of Algebra I or Algebra I taught
10
11 in a contextual methodology, and two units or sets of competencies
11
12 which may include, but are not limited to, the following courses:
12
13 a. Algebra II,
13
14 b. Geometry or Geometry taught in a contextual
14
15 methodology,
15
16 c. Trigonometry,
16
17 d. Math Analysis or Precalculus,
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18 e. Calculus,
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19 f. Statistics and/or Probability,
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20 g. Computer Science or acceptance and successful
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21 completion of one (1) year of a full-time, three-hour
21
22 career and technology program leading to an industry
22
23 credential/certificate or college credit. The State
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24 Board of Career and Technology Education shall
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Req. No. 2960 Page 8
1 promulgate rules to define the provisions of this
1
2 section related to the accepted industry-valued
2
3 credentials which are industry-endorsed or industry-
3
4 aligned. The list of accepted industry-valued
4
5 credentials shall be reviewed annually and updated at
5
6 least every three (3) years by the Board,
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7 h. (1) contextual mathematics courses which enhance
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8 technology preparation, or
8
9 (2) a science, technology, engineering, and math
9
10 (STEM) block course meeting the requirements for
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11 course competencies listed in paragraph 2 of
11
12 subsection B of this section, whether taught at
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13 a:
13
14 (a) comprehensive high school, or
14
15 (b) technology center school when taken in the
15
16 tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade, taught by
16
17 a certified teacher, and approved by the
17
18 State Board of Education and the independent
18
19 school district board of education,
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20 i. mathematics courses taught at a technology center
20
21 school by a teacher certified in the secondary subject
21
22 area when taken in the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth
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23 grade upon approval of the State Board of Education
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24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 9
1 and the independent school district board of
1
2 education, or
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3 j. any other mathematics course with content and/or rigor
3
4 equal to or above Algebra I;
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5 3. Science � Three units or sets of competencies to consist of
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6 one unit or set of competencies of Biology I or Biology I taught in
6
7 a contextual methodology, and two units or sets of competencies in
7
8 the areas of life, physical, or earth science or technology which
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9 may include, but are not limited to, the following courses:
9
10 a. Chemistry I,
10
11 b. Physics,
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12 c. Biology II,
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13 d. Chemistry II,
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14 e. Physical Science,
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15 f. Earth Science,
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16 g. Botany,
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17 h. Zoology,
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18 i. Physiology,
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19 j. Astronomy,
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20 k. Applied Biology/Chemistry,
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21 l. Applied Physics,
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22 m. Principles of Technology,
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23 n. qualified agricultural education courses,
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24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 10
1 o. (1) contextual science courses which enhance
1
2 technology preparation, or
2
3 (2) a science, technology, engineering, and math
3
4 (STEM) block course meeting the requirements for
4
5 course competencies listed in paragraph 3 of
5
6 subsection B of this section, whether taught at
6
7 a:
7
8 (a) comprehensive high school, or
8
9 (b) technology center school when taken in the
9
10 tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade, taught by
10
11 a certified teacher, and approved by the
11
12 State Board of Education and the independent
12
13 school district board of education,
13
14 p. science courses taught at a technology center school
14
15 by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area
15
16 when taken in the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade
16
17 upon approval of the State Board of Education and the
17
18 independent school district board of education, or
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19 q. other science courses with content and/or rigor equal
19
20 to or above Biology I;
20
21 4. Social Studies � Three units or sets of competencies, to
21
22 consist of one unit or set of competencies of United States History,
22
23 one-half (1/2) to one unit or set of competencies of United States
23
24 Government, one-half (1/2) unit or set of competencies of Oklahoma
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 11
1 History, and one-half (1/2) to one unit or set of competencies which
1
2 may include, but are not limited to, the following courses:
2
3 a. World History,
3
4 b. Geography,
4
5 c. Economics,
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6 d. Anthropology, or
6
7 e. other social studies courses with content and/or rigor
7
8 equal to or above United States History, United States
8
9 Government, and Oklahoma History;
9
10 5. Arts � One unit or set of competencies which may include,
10
11 but is not limited to, courses in Visual Arts and General Music;
11
12 6. One-half (1/2) unit or set of competencies of personal
12
13 financial literacy, as provided in the Passport to Financial
13
14 Literacy Act, whether taught as an elective course or when taught
14
15 during instruction as provided in and subject to the standards of
15
16 subsection A of Section 11-103.6h of this title in coursework
16
17 offered by the school district or partnering technology center
17
18 school by a teacher certified in a relevant secondary subject area
18
19 and taken in the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade; and
19
20 7. Computer Education or World Language - One unit or set of
20
21 competencies of computer technology, whether taught at a high school
21
22 or a technology center school, including computer programming,
22
23 hardware, and business computer applications, such as word
23
24 processing, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics, excluding
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 12
1 keyboarding or typing courses, or one unit or set of competencies of
1
2 world or non-English language.
2
3 D. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, students whose
3
4 parent or legal guardian approved a modification of the existing
4
5 graduation track as outlined in subsections B and C of this section,
5
6 subject to school approval, may complete a minimum of twenty-three
6
7 curriculum units or sets of competencies at the secondary level as
7
8 provided for in this subsection; and students entering the eighth
8
9 grade in the 2025-2026 school year, in order to graduate from a
9
10 public high school accredited by the State Board of Education with a
10
11 standard diploma, shall complete a minimum of the following twenty-
11
12 three curriculum units or sets of competencies at the secondary
12
13 level:
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14 1. Four units or sets of competencies of English to include
14
15 Grammar, Composition, Literature, or any English course;
15
16 2. Four units or sets of competencies of mathematics, two of
16
17 which shall be Algebra I and either Algebra II or Geometry. The
17
18 remaining two units may include Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry,
18
19 Math Analysis, Calculus, Statistics, Math of Finance, Computer
19
20 Science, college courses approved for dual credit, an approved full-
20
21 time postsecondary career and technology program or a locally
21
22 approved math-based application course, or any mathematics course
22
23 with content and/or rigor above Algebra I;
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 13
1 3. Three units or sets of competencies of laboratory science
1
2 approved for college admission requirements including one unit or
2
3 set of competencies of life science meeting the standards for
3
4 Biology I; one unit or set of competencies of physical science
4
5 meeting the standards for Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics;
5
6 and one unit or set of competencies from the domains of physical
6
7 science, life science, or earth and space science, an approved full-
7
8 time postsecondary career and technology program or a locally
8
9 approved science-based application course, or any science course
9
10 with content and/or rigor above Biology I or Physical Science;
10
11 4. Three units or sets of competencies of history and
11
12 citizenship skills including one unit of American History, one-half
12
13 unit of Oklahoma History, one-half unit of United States Government,
13
14 and one unit from the subjects of History, Government, Geography,
14
15 Economics, Civics, or non-Western culture;
15
16 5. Six pathway units or sets of competencies approved at the
16
17 discretion of the school district board of education which align
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18 with each student's Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) and
18
19 may include, but are not limited to, any additional units or sets of
19
20 competencies as provided in paragraphs 1 through 4 of this
20
21 subsection, world or non-English language, computer technology,
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22 Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), internship or
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23 apprenticeship programs, career and technology education courses,
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24 concurrently enrolled courses, advanced placement courses,
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Req. No. 2960 Page 14
1 International Baccalaureate courses approved for college admission
1
2 requirements, music, art, drama, speech, dance, media arts, or other
2
3 approved courses; and
3
4 6. Three units or sets of competencies of elective courses
4
5 approved by the school district board of education.
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6 E. A school district shall determine the specific description
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7 of the locally approved math- and science-based application courses
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8 allowed pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3 of subsection D of this
8
9 section. Formal notification with the specific course description
9
10 shall be provided to the State Department of Education prior to July
10
11 1 of each school year. The notification shall include what courses
11
12 will be coded as locally approved math- and science-based
12
13 application courses for the ensuing school year.
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14 F. A school district may issue an alternate diploma to a
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15 student who meets the definition of a student with the most
15
16 significant cognitive disabilities and who participates in the
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17 Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP) beginning in the 2023-
17
18 2024 school year. An alternate diploma shall be standards-based,
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19 aligned with requirements for a standard diploma, and obtained by
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20 the school year in which a student turns twenty-two (22) years of
20
21 age.
21
22 F. G. An alternate diploma shall not terminate a Free and
22
23 Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with an
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24 Individualized Education Program (IEP) unless they reach the maximum
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Req. No. 2960 Page 15
1 age of FAPE. The IEP team shall determine subsequent courses and
1
2 services for students who receive an alternate diploma.
2
3 G. H. Students participating in the OAAP shall not be precluded
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4 from attempting to meet the requirements of a standard diploma, and
4
5 participation in the OAAP shall not determine a student's
5
6 educational setting under the Individuals with Disabilities
6
7 Education Act (IDEA).
7
8 H. I. Students who meet requirements for an alternate diploma
8
9 may count as having received a standard diploma for purposes of
9
10 calculating and reporting the adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR)
10
11 calculated pursuant to Section 3-151.1 of this title.
11
12 I. J. A student may be awarded an alternate diploma upon
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13 completion of the following curriculum units or sets of competencies
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14 at the secondary level:
14
15 1. Language Arts � Four units or sets of competencies based on
15
16 alternate academic achievement standards to consist of reading
16
17 literature, reading informational text, writing, speaking and
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18 listening, and language in the following courses:
18
19 a. English 1 Alternate,
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20 b. English 2 Alternate,
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21 c. English 3 Alternate, and
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22 d. English 4 Alternate;
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23 2. Mathematics � Three Four units or sets of competencies based
23
24 on alternate academic achievement standards to consist of number,
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Req. No. 2960 Page 16
1 quantities, algebra, functions/statistics, probability, and geometry
1
2 in the following courses:
2
3 a. Math Alternate 1,
3
4 b. Math Alternate 2, and
4
5 c. Math Alternate 3, and
5
6 d. Math Alternate 4;
6
7 3. Science � Three units or sets of competencies based on
7
8 alternate academic achievement standards to consist of life science,
8
9 physical science, and earth science in the following courses:
9
10 a. Life Science Alternate,
10
11 b. Physical Science Alternate, and
11
12 c. Earth Science Alternate;
12
13 4. Social Studies � Three units or sets of competencies based
13
14 on alternate academic achievement standards to consist of United
14
15 States History, United States Government, Oklahoma History,
15
16 Geography, and Social Studies in the following courses:
16
17 a. Social Studies Alternate 1,
17
18 b. Social Studies Alternate 2, and
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19 c. Social Studies Alternate 3;
19
20 5. Arts � One unit or set of competencies which may include,
20
21 but is not limited to, courses in Visual Arts and General Music;
21
22 6. Computer Education or World Language - One unit or set of
22
23 competencies of computer technology, whether taught at a high school
23
24 or a technology center school, including computer programming,
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 17
1 hardware, and business computer applications, such as word
1
2 processing, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics, excluding
2
3 keyboarding or typing courses, or one unit or set of competencies of
3
4 world or non-English language;
4
5 7. Career Readiness � at least two units of Career Readiness,
5
6 including Career Readiness I, Career Readiness II, Career Readiness
6
7 III, or Career Readiness IV. Each Career Readiness course may be
7
8 substituted for Careers/Exploration, Internship I, or Internship II;
8
9 and
9
10 8. Life Skills � at least two units of Life Skills, such as
10
11 Life Skills I, Life Skills II, Life Skills III, or Life Skills IV.
11
12 Each Life Skills course may be substituted for the Life Skills or
12
13 Family and Consumer Science courses.
13
14 J. K. Courses in the core curriculum may be used as a
14
15 substitute for corresponding courses required by the alternate
15
16 diploma. Other courses may be substituted as determined by the
16
17 State Board of Education.
17
18 K. L. 1. In addition to the curriculum requirements of either
18
19 subsection B, C, or D of this section, in order to graduate from a
19
20 public high school accredited by the State Board of Education,
20
21 students shall complete any additional course requirements or
21
22 recommended elective courses as may be established by the State
22
23 Board of Education and the school district school board of
23
24 education. School districts shall strongly encourage students to
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 18
1 complete two units or sets of competencies of world languages and
1
2 two units or sets of competencies of physical and health education.
2
3 2. No student shall receive credit for high school graduation
3
4 more than once for completion of the same unit or set of
4
5 competencies to satisfy the curriculum requirements of this section.
5
6 3. A school district shall not be required to offer every
6
7 course listed in subsections B, C, and D of this section but shall
7
8 offer sufficient courses to allow a student to meet the graduation
8
9 requirements during the secondary grade years of the student.
9
10 L. M. 1. In addition to the curriculum requirements of either
10
11 subsection B, C, or D of this section, beginning with ninth graders
11
12 in the 2021-22 2021-2022 school year, in order to graduate from a
12
13 public high school accredited by the State Board of Education,
13
14 students shall pass the United States naturalization test pursuant
14
15 to the provisions of this subsection.
15
16 2. School districts shall offer the United States
16
17 naturalization test to students at least once per school year,
17
18 beginning as early as eighth grade at the discretion of the school
18
19 district; provided, any student may retake the exam upon request,
19
20 and as often as desired, until earning a passing score. For
20
21 purposes of this subsection, a passing score shall be 60 out of 100
21
22 questions.
22
23 3. School districts shall exempt students with disabilities
23
24 whose individualized education program (IEP) IEP, consistent with
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 19
1 state law, indicates that the student is to be assessed with
1
2 alternate achievement standards through the OAAP.
2
3 M. N. For purposes of this section:
3
4 1. "Contextual methodology" means academic content and skills
4
5 taught by utilizing real-world problems and projects in a way that
5
6 helps students understand the application of that knowledge;
6
7 2. "Locally approved" means approved by the school district
7
8 board of education;
8
9 3. "Math-based application course" means a course that teaches
9
10 math content within a real-world application;
10
11 4. "Pathway unit" means a course taken by a high school student
11
12 that is aligned with the student's current ICAP;
12
13 5. "Qualified agricultural education courses" means courses
13
14 that have been determined by the State Board of Education to offer
14
15 the sets of competencies for one or more science content areas and
15
16 which correspond to academic science courses. Qualified
16
17 agricultural education courses shall include, but are not limited
17
18 to, Horticulture horticulture, Plant plant and Soil Science soil
18
19 science, Natural Resources natural resources and Environmental
19
20 Science environmental science, and Animal Science animal science.
20
21 The courses shall be taught by teachers certified in agricultural
21
22 education and comply with all rules of the Oklahoma Department of
22
23 Career and Technology Education;
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 20
1 3. 6. "Rigor" means a level of difficulty that is thorough,
1
2 exhaustive and accurate and is appropriate for the grade level;
2
3 7. "Science-based application course" means a course that
3
4 teaches science content within a real-world application;
4
5 4. 8. "Sets of competencies" means instruction in those skills
5
6 and competencies that are specified in the subject matter standards
6
7 adopted by the State Board of Education and other skills and
7
8 competencies adopted by the Board, without regard to specified
8
9 instructional time; and
9
10 5. 9. "Unit" means a Carnegie Unit as defined by the North
10
11 Central Association's Commission on Schools.
11
12 N. O. 1. The State Board of Education, the State Board of
12
13 Career and Technology Education, and the Oklahoma State Regents for
13
14 Higher Education shall adopt a joint plan and electronically submit
14
15 it to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the
15
16 House of Representatives by January 1, 2025, to ensure that rigor is
16
17 maintained in the content, teaching methodology, level of
17
18 expectations for student achievement, and application of learning in
18
19 all the courses taught to meet the graduation requirements as
19
20 specified in subsection D of this section.
20
21 2. The State Board of Education shall allow as much flexibility
21
22 at the district level as is possible without diminishing the rigor
22
23 or undermining the intent of providing these courses. To accomplish
23
24 this purpose, the State Department of Education shall work with
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 21
1 school districts in reviewing and approving courses taught by
1
2 districts that are not specifically listed in subsections B, C, and
2
3 D of this section. Options may include, but shall not be limited
3
4 to, courses taken by concurrent enrollment, advanced placement, or
4
5 correspondence, or courses bearing different titles.
5
6 3. The State Board of Education shall approve an advanced
6
7 placement computer science course to meet the requirements of course
7
8 competencies listed in paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section
8
9 if the course is taken in a student's senior year and the student is
9
10 concurrently enrolled in or has successfully completed Algebra II.
10
11 4. Technology center school districts may offer programs
11
12 designed in cooperation with institutions of higher education which
12
13 have an emphasis on a focused field of career study upon approval of
13
14 the State Board of Education and the independent district board of
14
15 education. Students in the tenth grade may be allowed to attend
15
16 these programs for up to one-half (1/2) of a school day and credit
16
17 for the units or sets of competencies required in paragraphs 2, 3,
17
18 6, and 7 of subsection B or D C or paragraphs 2, 3, 5, and 6 of
18
19 subsection D of this section shall be given if the courses are
19
20 taught by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area;
20
21 provided, credit for units or sets of competencies pursuant to
21
22 subsection B and paragraphs 3 and 5 of subsection D of this section
22
23 shall be approved for college admission requirements as applicable.
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 22
1 5. 4. If a student enrolls in a concurrent enrollment course,
1
2 the school district shall not be responsible for any costs incurred
2
3 for that course, unless the school district does not offer enough
3
4 course selection during the student's secondary grade years to allow
4
5 the student to receive the courses needed to meet the graduation
5
6 requirements of this section. If the school district does not offer
6
7 the necessary course selection during the student's secondary grade
7
8 years, it shall be responsible for the cost of resident tuition at
8
9 an institution in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education,
9
10 fees, and books for the concurrent enrollment course, and providing
10
11 for transportation to and from the institution to the school site.
11
12 It is the intent of the Legislature that for students enrolled
12
13 in a concurrent enrollment course which is paid for by the school
13
14 district pursuant to this paragraph, the institution charge only the
14
15 supplementary and special service fees that are directly related to
15
16 the concurrent enrollment course and enrollment procedures for that
16
17 student. It is further the intent of the Legislature that fees for
17
18 student activities and student service facilities, including the
18
19 student health care and cultural and recreational service fees, not
19
20 be charged to such students.
20
21 6. 5. Credit for the units or sets of competencies required in
21
22 subsection B, C, or D of this section shall be given when such units
22
23 or sets of competencies are taken prior to ninth grade if the
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 23
1 teachers are certified or authorized to teach the subjects for high
1
2 school credit and the required rigor is maintained.
2
3 7. 6. The three units or sets of competencies in mathematics
3
4 required in subsection B, C, or D of this section shall may be
4
5 completed in at any time during the ninth eighth through twelfth
5
6 grades. If a student completes any required courses or sets of
6
7 competencies in mathematics prior to ninth eighth grade, the student
7
8 may take any other mathematics courses or sets of competencies to
8
9 fulfill the requirement to complete three the units or sets of
9
10 competencies in grades nine eight through twelve after the student
10
11 has satisfied the requirements of subsection B, C, or D of this
11
12 section.
12
13 8. 7. The one-half (1/2) unit or set of competencies in
13
14 personal financial literacy required in subsection B or D C of this
14
15 section shall be completed in the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade
15
16 to fulfill the requirements for graduation.
16
17 9. 8. All units or sets of competencies required for graduation
17
18 may be taken in any sequence recommended by the school district.
18
19 O. P. As a condition of receiving accreditation from the State
19
20 Board of Education, all students in grades nine through twelve shall
20
21 enroll in a minimum of six periods, or the equivalent in block
21
22 scheduling or other scheduling structure that allows for instruction
22
23 in sets of competencies, of rigorous academic and/or rigorous
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 24
1 vocational courses each day, which may include arts, vocal and
1
2 instrumental music, speech classes, and physical education classes.
2
3 P. Q. 1. Academic and vocational-technical courses designed to
3
4 offer sets of competencies integrated or embedded within the courses
4
5 that provide for the teaching and learning of the appropriate skills
5
6 and knowledge in the subject matter standards, as adopted by the
6
7 State Board of Education, may, upon approval of the Board, in
7
8 consultation with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology
8
9 Education if the courses are offered at a technology center school
9
10 district, be counted for academic credit and toward meeting the
10
11 graduation requirements of this section.
11
12 2. Internet-based courses offered by a technology center school
12
13 that are taught by a certified teacher and provide for the teaching
13
14 and learning of the appropriate skills and knowledge in the subject
14
15 matter standards may, upon approval of the State Board of Education
15
16 and the independent school district board of education, be counted
16
17 for academic credit and toward meeting the graduation requirements
17
18 of this section.
18
19 3. Internet-based courses or vocational-technical courses
19
20 utilizing integrated or embedded skills for which no subject matter
20
21 standards have been adopted by the State Board of Education may be
21
22 approved by the Board, in consultation with the Oklahoma Department
22
23 of Career and Technology Education if the courses are offered at a
23
24 technology center school district, if such courses incorporate
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 25
1 standards of nationally recognized professional organizations and
1
2 are taught by certified teachers.
2
3 4. Courses offered by a supplemental education organization
3
4 that is accredited by a national accrediting body and that are
4
5 taught by a certified teacher and provide for the teaching and
5
6 learning of the appropriate skills and knowledge in the subject
6
7 matter standards may, upon approval of the State Board of Education
7
8 and the school district board of education, be counted for academic
8
9 credit and toward meeting the graduation requirements of this
9
10 section.
10
11 Q. R. The State Board of Education shall provide an option for
11
12 high school graduation based upon attainment of the desired levels
12
13 of competencies as required in tests administered pursuant to the
13
14 provisions of Section 1210.508 of this title. Such option shall be
14
15 in lieu of the amount of course credits earned.
15
16 R. S. The State Board of Education shall prescribe, adopt, and
16
17 approve a promotion system based on the attainment by students of
17
18 specified levels of competencies in each area of the core
18
19 curriculum.
19
20 S. T. Children who have an IEP pursuant to the IDEA, and who
20
21 satisfy the graduation requirements through the individualized
21
22 education program IEP for that student shall be awarded a standard
22
23 diploma.
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 26
1 T. Students who enter the ninth grade in or prior to the 2007-
1
2 08 school year who are enrolled in an alternative education program
2
3 and meet the requirements of their plans leading to high school
3
4 graduation developed pursuant to Section 1210.568 of this title
4
5 shall be awarded a standard diploma.
5
6 U. Any student who completes the curriculum requirements of the
6
7 International Baccalaureate Diploma Program shall be awarded a
7
8 standard diploma.
8
9 V. Any student who successfully completes an advanced
9
10 mathematics or science course offered pursuant to Section 1210.404
10
11 of this title shall be granted academic credit toward meeting the
11
12 graduation requirements pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3, as
12
13 appropriate, of subsection B, C, or D of this section.
13
14 W. For purposes of this section, the courses approved for
14
15 college admission requirements shall be courses which are approved
15
16 by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for admission to
16
17 an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
17
18 X. Students who have been denied a standard diploma by the
18
19 school district in which the student is or was enrolled for failing
19
20 to meet the requirements of this section may re-enroll in the school
20
21 district that denied the student a standard diploma following the
21
22 denial of a standard diploma. The student shall be provided
22
23 remediation or intervention and the opportunity to complete the
23
24 curriculum units or sets of competencies required by this section to
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 27
1 obtain a standard diploma. Students who re-enroll in the school
1
2 district to meet the graduation requirements of this section shall
2
3 be exempt from the hourly instructional requirements of Section 1-
3
4 111 of this title and the six-period enrollment requirements
4
5 requirement of this section.
5
6 Y. The State Department of Education shall collect and report
6
7 data by school site and district on the number of students who
7
8 enroll in the core curriculum as provided in subsection D of this
8
9 section.
9
10 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 1210.508, as
10
11 last amended by Section 10, Chapter 492, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp.
11
12 2025, Section 1210.508), is amended to read as follows:
12
13 Section 1210.508. A. 1. By no later than December 31, 2016,
13
14 the State Board of Education shall adopt a statewide system of
14
15 student assessments in compliance with the Elementary and Secondary
15
16 Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as reauthorized and amended by P.L.
16
17 No. 114-95, also known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
17
18 2. The statewide student assessment system adopted by the Board
18
19 pursuant to this subsection shall be aligned with the Oklahoma
19
20 Academic Standards as adopted by the Board and which prepare
20
21 students for college and careers.
21
22 B. 1. The Board shall issue a request for proposals for the
22
23 selection of assessments to be administered to students in grades
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 28
1 three through twelve as a part of the statewide student assessment
1
2 system adopted by the Board pursuant to this section.
2
3 2. The Board shall adopt assessments from the selected
3
4 proposals that were submitted pursuant to paragraph 1 of this
4
5 subsection. The adopted assessments shall be administered by the
5
6 Board for a period that is in coordination with the six-year subject
6
7 area textbook adoption cycle unless the vendor does not fulfill the
7
8 terms of the contract or fails to comply with or violates the terms
8
9 of the contract. The Board shall administer the assessments
9
10 beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
10
11 C. The statewide student assessment system adopted by the Board
11
12 pursuant to this section shall include assessments that:
12
13 1. Are aligned with the Oklahoma subject matter standards as
13
14 adopted by the Board;
14
15 2. Provide a measure of comparability among other states;
15
16 3. Yield both norm-referenced scores and criterion-referenced
16
17 scores;
17
18 4. Have a track record of statistical reliability and accuracy;
18
19 and
19
20 5. For assessments administered in high school, provide a
20
21 measure of future academic performance.
21
22 D. For the 2016-2017 school year, the Board shall administer
22
23 assessments in:
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 29
1 1. English Language Arts or reading and mathematics in grades
1
2 three through eight and at least once in high school, during the
2
3 grade span of nine through twelve;
3
4 2. Science not less than once during each grade span of three
4
5 through five, six through nine, and ten through twelve; and
5
6 3. United States History not less than once during the grade
6
7 span of nine through twelve.
7
8 E. 1. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the statewide
8
9 student assessment system shall include assessments in:
9
10 a. English Language Arts and mathematics in grades three
10
11 through eight and at least once in high school, during
11
12 the grade span of nine through twelve,
12
13 b. science not less than once during each grade span of
13
14 three through five, six through nine, and ten through
14
15 twelve, and
15
16 c. United States History, with an emphasis on civics, not
16
17 less than once during the grade span of nine through
17
18 twelve.
18
19 2. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the statewide
19
20 student assessment system may include:
20
21 a. assessments in reading, writing, and mathematics in
21
22 certain grades as determined by the Board, and
22
23 b. contingent upon the availability of funds, an
23
24 additional nationally recognized college- and career-
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 30
1 readiness assessment or assessments as recommended by
1
2 the State Department of Education, which will be
2
3 administered to students in high school at no cost to
3
4 the student.
4
5 F. 1. Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the
5
6 2017-2018 school year, each student shall take the assessment or
6
7 assessments included in the statewide student assessment system
7
8 adopted by the Board pursuant to subsection A of this section in
8
9 order to graduate from a public high school with a standard or
9
10 alternate diploma. All students shall take the assessment or
10
11 assessments prior to graduation, unless otherwise exempt by law.
11
12 2. Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the
12
13 2017-2018 school year, each student, in addition to taking the
13
14 assessment or assessments included in the statewide student
14
15 assessment system adopted by the Board pursuant to subsection A of
15
16 this section, shall meet any other high school graduation
16
17 requirements adopted by the Board pursuant to Section 5 of Enrolled
17
18 House Bill No. 3218 of the 2nd Session of the 55th Oklahoma
18
19 Legislature in order to graduate from a public high school with a
19
20 standard or alternate diploma.
20
21 3. For students who start the ninth grade prior to or during
21
22 the 2016-2017 school year, school districts shall adopt a plan that
22
23 establishes the assessment or assessments those students are
23
24 required to take in order to graduate from a public high school with
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 31
1 a standard diploma. The plan may also include any or all of the
1
2 other high school graduation requirements adopted by the Board
2
3 pursuant to Section 5 of Enrolled House Bill No. 3218 of the 2nd
3
4 Session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature that those students will be
4
5 required to meet in order to graduate from a public high school with
5
6 a standard diploma.
6
7 4. The Board shall promulgate rules to ensure that students who
7
8 transfer into an Oklahoma a school district in this state from out-
8
9 of-state after the junior year of high school shall not be denied
9
10 the opportunity to be awarded a standard or alternate diploma due to
10
11 differing testing requirements.
11
12 G. In order to provide an indication of the levels of
12
13 competency attained by the student in a permanent record for
13
14 potential future employers and institutions of higher education,
14
15 school districts shall report on the high school transcript of the
15
16 student the highest-achieved score on the assessment or assessments
16
17 included in the statewide student assessment system adopted by the
17
18 Board pursuant to subsection A of this section and any business- and
18
19 industry-recognized endorsements attained.
19
20 H. Students who do not perform at a proficiency level on
20
21 assessments shall be remediated as established in the assessment
21
22 requirements adopted by the Board pursuant to Section 5 of Enrolled
22
23 House Bill No. 3218 of the 2nd Session of the 55th Oklahoma
23
24 Legislature, subject to the availability of funding.
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 32
1 I. 1. All assessments required by this section shall measure
1
2 academic competencies in correlation with the subject matter
2
3 standards adopted by the Board pursuant to Sections 11-103.6 and 11-
3
4 103.6a of this title and referred to as the Oklahoma Academic
4
5 Standards. The State Board of Education shall evaluate the subject
5
6 matter standards to ensure the competencies reflect high standards,
6
7 are specific, well-defined, measurable, and challenging, and will
7
8 prepare elementary students for next-grade-level course work and
8
9 secondary students for postsecondary studies at institutions of
9
10 higher education or technology center schools without the need for
10
11 remediation. All subject matter standards shall reflect the goals
11
12 as set forth in Section 11-103.6 of this title and of improving the
12
13 state average of college entrance exam scores.
13
14 2. The State Department of Education shall annually evaluate
14
15 the results of the assessments. The State Board of Education shall
15
16 ensure that preliminary results for all statewide assessments are
16
17 reported to districts no later than June 20 of each year and are
17
18 presented in a manner that yields detailed, diagnostic information
18
19 for the purpose of guiding instruction and student remediation. As
19
20 improvements are made to the assessments required by this section,
20
21 the Board shall seek to increase the depth of knowledge assessed for
21
22 each subject. The State Board of Education shall seek to ensure
22
23 that data yielded from the assessments required in this section are
23
24 utilized at the school district level to inform instruction,
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 33
1 professional development, school improvement, and remediation for
1
2 students.
2
3 3. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability
3
4 shall determine the cut scores for the performance levels on all
4
5 statewide assessments. The Commission shall conduct an ongoing
5
6 review to compare the statewide assessment content and performance
6
7 descriptors with those of other states. Upon receipt of the review,
7
8 the Commission may adjust the cut scores as necessary.
8
9 4. The State Board of Education, for the purposes of conducting
9
10 reliability and validity studies, monitoring contractor adherence to
10
11 professionally accepted testing standards, and providing
11
12 recommendations for testing program improvement, shall retain the
12
13 services of an established, independent agency or organization that
13
14 is nationally recognized for its technical expertise in educational
14
15 testing but is not engaged in the development of aptitude or
15
16 achievement tests for elementary or secondary level grades. These
16
17 national assessment experts shall annually conduct studies of the
17
18 reliability and validity of the statewide assessments administered
18
19 pursuant to this section. Validity studies shall include studies of
19
20 decision validity and concurrent validity.
20
21 J. 1. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules
21
22 setting the assessment window dates for each statewide assessment so
22
23 that the assessments are administered according to recommended
23
24 testing protocols and so that the assessment results are reported
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 34
1 back to school districts in a timely manner. The vendor shall
1
2 provide a final electronic data file of all school site, school
2
3 district, and state results to the State Department of Education and
3
4 the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability prior to August
4
5 20 of each year. The Department shall forward the final data files
5
6 for each school district and each school site in that district to
6
7 the school district. The Board shall ensure the contract with the
7
8 vendor includes a provision that the vendor report assessment
8
9 results directly to the Office of Educational Quality and
9
10 Accountability at the same time it is they are reported to the
10
11 Board.
11
12 2. State, district, and site level results of all assessments
12
13 required in this section shall be disaggregated by gender, race,
13
14 ethnicity, disability status, migrant status, English proficiency,
14
15 and status as economically disadvantaged, except that such
15
16 disaggregation shall not be required in a case in which the number
16
17 of students in a category is insufficient to yield statistically
17
18 reliable information or the results would reveal personally
18
19 identifiable information about an individual student. Each school
19
20 site shall notify the student's parents or legal guardians of the
20
21 school's performance levels in the Oklahoma School Testing Program
21
22 as reported in the Oklahoma Educational Indicators Program at the
22
23 end of each school year.
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 35
1 K. The State Board of Education shall be responsible for the
1
2 field-testing and validation of the statewide assessment system
2
3 required in subsection A of this section.
3
4 L. The State Board of Education shall develop, administer, and
4
5 incorporate as a part of the Oklahoma School Testing Program other
5
6 assessment programs or procedures including appropriate
6
7 accommodations for the assessment of students with disabilities as
7
8 required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),
8
9 20 U.S.C., Section 1400 et seq.
9
10 M. For purposes of developing and administering alternate
10
11 assessments for students with the most significant cognitive
11
12 disabilities, the State Board of Education shall not be subject to
12
13 subsections D and E of Section 11-103.6a of this title.
13
14 N. By December 15, 2026, and annually thereafter, the State
14
15 Board of Education shall electronically submit a report to the
15
16 Legislature containing data collected for the most recently
16
17 completed school year on the number and demographics of students who
17
18 were eligible for advanced mathematics courses, the number and
18
19 demographics of students who were placed in advanced mathematics
19
20 courses, the number and demographics of students placed in
20
21 mathematics intervention courses, and the number and demographics of
21
22 students not placed in advanced mathematic courses or mathematic
22
23 intervention courses. The report shall include information on the
23
24
24
Req. No. 2960 Page 36
1 type and format of advanced mathematic courses and the type and
1
2 format of mathematic intervention courses.
2
3 O. The State Board of Education shall provide guidance on how
3
4 to best develop programming and courses to ensure all impacted
4
5 students receive rigorous, academically appropriate instruction in
5
6 mathematics.
6
7 SECTION 3. REPEALER 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11-103.6, as
7
8 last amended by Section 166, Chapter 452, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp.
8
9 2025, Section 11-103.6), is hereby repealed.
9
10 SECTION 4. REPEALER 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11-103.6, as
10
11 last amended by Section 1, Chapter 384, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp.
11
12 2025, Section 11-103.6), is hereby repealed.
12
13 SECTION 5. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
13
14 SECTION 6. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
14
15 of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
15
16 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
16
17 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
17
18
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Req. No. 2960 Page 37Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.