Oklahoma Senate Bill SB137

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Schools; directing the State Department of Education to implement certain pilot program. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

The implementation of this pilot program is set to begin in the 2023-2024 school year and will require the State Department of Education to work with a contracted provider to deliver these educational resources. Once students complete the courses, they will be assessed on their understanding of the content. The scores from these assessments will be collected and made publicly available while adhering to privacy regulations. This initiative not only emphasizes civics education but also aims to ensure that high school graduates possess a strong understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

Summary

Senate Bill 137 is a newly proposed legislation in Oklahoma that establishes a four-year pilot program aimed at enhancing the education of eleventh-grade students in public school districts and public charter schools. The bill mandates the State Department of Education to provide students with courses focused on United States history, government, and civics. The highlight of this bill is the introduction of specific courses that include topics such as the United States Constitution and Civil Rights in American History, designed to be taught online at no expense to the state or the schools involved.

Contention

Notably, the bill also includes provisions for evaluating the program's effectiveness, with a report due by November 30, 2027, which will include data on student assessment scores. This forward-thinking approach aims to address perceived gaps in civics education and its integration within the school curriculum. However, potential points of contention may arise regarding the specific content of the courses, particularly the framing of historical narratives and the selected topics, which could lead to debates among educators, parents, and lawmakers about the appropriateness and comprehensiveness of the material provided.