STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE BILL 421	By:	Anderson

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2011, Section 11-103.6, which relates to curricular requirements for high school graduation; allowing certain students to be eligible to graduate if they meet certain requirements; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     70 O.S. 2011, Section 11-103.6, is amended to read as follows:
Section 11-103.6.  A.  The State Board of Education shall adopt curricular 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 and communication.  All students shall gain literacy at the elementary and secondary levels through a core curriculum.  Students must develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, computing and critical thinking.  They also must learn about cultures and environments - their own and those of others with whom they share the earth.  Students, therefore, must study social studies, literature, languages, the arts, mathematics and science.  Such curricula shall provide for the teaching of a hands-on career exploration program in cooperation with technology center schools.  The core curriculum 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 employment and/or postsecondary education.
B.  Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the 2006-07 school year and 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 of English to include Grammar, Composition, Literature, or any English course approved for college admission requirements;
2.  Three units 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 of laboratory science, limited to Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or any laboratory science course with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology and approved for college admission requirements;
4.  Three units of history and citizenship skills, including one unit of American History, 1/2 unit of Oklahoma History, 1/2 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 of the same foreign 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 selected from paragraphs 1 through 5 of this subsection or career and technology education 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.  Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the 2006-07 school year, 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.  School districts may 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 students who entered the ninth grade prior to the 2006-07 school year and 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 – 4 units or sets of competencies, to consist of 1 unit or set of competencies of grammar and composition, and 3 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 – 3 units or sets of competencies, to consist of 1 unit or set of competencies of Algebra I or Algebra I taught in a contextual methodology, and 2 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,
h.	contextual mathematics courses which enhance technology preparation whether taught at a:
(1)	comprehensive high school, or
(2)	technology center school when taken in the 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 eleventh or twelfth grade upon approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education, or
j.	equal to or above Algebra I;
3.  Science – 3 units or sets of competencies, to consist of 1 unit or set of competencies of Biology I or Biology I taught in a contextual methodology, and 2 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.	contextual science courses which enhance technology preparation whether taught at a:
(1)	comprehensive high school, or
(2)	technology center school when taken in the 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 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 – 3 units or sets of competencies, to consist of 1 unit or set of competencies of United States History, 1/2 to 1 unit or set of competencies of United States Government, 1/2 unit or set of competencies of Oklahoma History, and 1/2 to 1 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; and
5.  Arts – 2 units or sets of competencies which may include, but are not limited to, courses in Visual Arts and General Music.
E.  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 foreign 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.  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 in the Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS), as adopted by the Board, 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 appropriate for the grade level and that meets state and/or national standards;
4.  "Sets of competencies" means those skills and competencies that are specified in the Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS), as adopted by the State Board of Education, subchapter 5, Chapter 15, Title 210 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code, and other skills and competencies adopted by the Board; and
5.  "Unit" means a Carnegie Unit as defined by the North Central Association's Commission on Schools.
G.  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.  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 and 3 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.
4.  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.
5.  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 in the seventh or eighth grades if the teachers are certified or authorized to teach the subjects for high school credit and the required rigor is maintained.
6.  Beginning with ninth-grade students enrolled in the 2008-2009 school year, 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; provided, if a student completes any required courses in mathematics prior to ninth grade, the student may take any other mathematics courses to fulfill the requirement to complete three units in grades nine through twelve after the student has satisfied the requirements of subsection B or D of this section.
7.  All units or sets of competencies required for graduation may be taken in any sequence recommended by the school district.
H.  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, of rigorous academic and/or rigorous vocational courses each day, which may include arts, vocal and instrumental music, speech classes, and physical education classes.
I.  1.  Academic and vocational-technical courses designed to offer sets of competencies integrated or embedded within the course that provide for the teaching and learning of the appropriate skills and knowledge in the Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS), as adopted by the State Board of Education, may upon approval of the Board 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 PASS 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 Priority Academic Student Skills have been adopted by the State Board of Education may be approved by the Board 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 PASS 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.
J.  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.
K.  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.
L.  Children who have individualized education programs pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and who satisfy the graduation requirements through the individualized education program for that student shall be awarded a standard diploma.
M.  For 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.
N.  Any student who completes the curriculum requirements of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program shall be awarded a standard diploma.
O.  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.
P.  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.
Q.  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.
R.  Students who are in foster care, in the custody of the Department of Human Services or an entity with which it contracts or the Office of Juvenile Affairs or an entity with which it contracts, shall be eligible to graduate from a public high school accredited by the State Board of Education with a standard diploma if the students meet the curricular requirements provided for in subsection D of this section and the testing requirements provided for in Section 1210.508 of this title.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2013.
SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and 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.

54-1-576	EB	1/15/2013 3:41:14 PM