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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (202 2)
HOUSE BILL 3655 By: Sterling
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 11-103.6, which relates to subject matter
standards; including agricultural power and
technology in fine arts curriculum; adding
agricultural power and technology in arts core
curriculum; and providing an effective date .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, 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 ne cessary to ensure ther e is
attainment of desire d levels of competencies in a variety of areas
to include language, mathematics, science, social studies and
communication.
2. School districts shall develop and implement curriculum,
courses and instruction in order to ensure tha t students meet the
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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. Studen ts shall develop skill s 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 al so shall learn about c ultures and environments
- their own and those of others with whom they share the earth.
Students, therefore, shall study social studies, literature,
languages, the arts, mathematics and science. Such curricula shall
provide for the teaching of a hands-on career exploration prog ram 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 designe d with rigor as
defined in paragraph 3 of subse ction G of this section.
6. The subject matter standards for English Language Arts shall
give Classic Literature and nonfiction literature equal
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consideration to other literature. In addition, emphasis shall be
given to the study of complete works of lit erature.
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 fluen cy 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 P roclamation, Federalist Pa pers 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 i deas
and concepts it refe rences. Beginning with th e 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 civic s, the structure and relat ionship
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 citize ns and of how those govern ments
work.
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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 co llege preparatory/work rea dy 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 Alg ebra I and approved for c ollege
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 com petencies of physical scie nce,
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 Biol ogy 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
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and one unit from the subjects of His tory, Government, Geograph y,
Economics, Civics, or non -Western culture and approved for college
admission requirements;
5. Two units or sets of competencies of the same foreign or
non-English language or two units of computer tech nology 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 cou rses 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 , or one
unit or set of competencies of agricultural power and technology
offered by a career and technology education program.
C. In lieu of the requirements of subsection B of this section
which requires a college preparatory/w ork ready curriculum, a
student may enroll in the core cu rriculum as provided in s ubsection
D of this section upon written approval of the parent or legal
guardian of the student. For students under the age of eighteen
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(18) school districts shall require a parent or legal guardian of
the student to meet with a designee of the school pr ior 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 completi ng the college preparator y/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 Boa rd of Education with a st andard 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 gr ammar 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 wi th content and/or rigor e qual
to or above grammar and composition;
2. Mathematics – Three units or sets of competencies, to
consist of one unit or set of competencies of Algebr a I or Algebra I
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taught in a contextual methodology, and two units or sets of
competencies which may inc lude, 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 acceptan ce 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 act
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 thr ee (3)
years by the Board,
h. (1) contextual mathematics courses which enhance
technology preparation, or
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(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, whe ther 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 educat ion, 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, an d 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 fo llowing courses:
a. Chemistry I,
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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 scho ol when taken in the
tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by
a certified teacher, and approved by the
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State Board of Education and the independent
district board of education,
p. science courses taught at a technology center sc hool
by a teacher certifi ed in the secondary subject area
when taken in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade
upon approval of the State Bo ard of Education and the
independent district board of education, or
q. other science courses with content and/or rigo r 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 Oklahom a
History, and one-half to one unit or set of competencies which may
include, but are not limited to, the followi ng courses:
a. World History,
b. Geography,
c. Economics,
d. Anthropology, or
e. other social studies courses with con tent and/or rigor
equal to or above United States History, United States
Government, and Oklahoma History;
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5. Arts – One unit or set of c ompetencies which may include,
but is not limited to, courses in Visual Arts and, General Music, or
agricultural power and technology; 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 sc hool, including computer programming,
hardware and business computer applicatio ns, such as word
processing, databases, spreadsheets and graphics, excluding
keyboarding or typing courses, or one unit or set of competencies of
foreign or non-English language.
E. 1. In addition to the curriculum requirements of either
subsection B or D of this section, in ord er 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 require ments or recommended elective
courses as may be established by the State Board of Education and
the district school board. School districts shall stron gly
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 o f the same unit or set of
competencies to satisfy the curriculum requirements o f this section.
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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 st udent to meet the graduation
requirements during the secondary grade years of t he student.
F. 1. In addition to the curriculum requirements of either
subsection B or D of this section, beginning with nint h 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 s hall 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 sc hool
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 wi th 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).
G. For purposes of this se ction:
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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 educa tion 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 limi ted
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 D epartment of Career and T echnology
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 s pecified in the subject m atter standards
adopted by the State Board of Education and other skills and
competencies adopted by t he 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. 1. The State Board of Education shall adopt a plan to
ensure that rigor is maintained i n the content, teaching
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methodology, level of expectations for student achievement, and
application of learning in all the course s 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 cour ses. 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 s hall not be limited to,
courses taken by concurrent enrollment, advanced placement, or
correspondence, or courses bearing diffe rent titles.
3. The State Board of Education shall approve an advanced
placement computer science course to meet the requirement s 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 ma y offer programs
designed in cooperation with institutions of higher education which
have an emphasis on a focused field of car eer study upon approval of
the State Board of Education and the independent district board of
education. Students in the tenth g rade may be allowed to at tend
these programs for up to one -half (1/2) of a school day and credit
for the units or sets of compe tencies required in paragraphs 2, 3
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and 6 of subsection B or D of this section shall be given if the
courses are taught by a teac her certified in the seco ndary 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 responsi ble 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 Ed ucation,
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 f or by the school
district pursuant to this paragraph, the institution charge only the
supplementary and special service fees th at 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
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student health care and cult ural 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 thi s 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 co mpetencies 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 a ny 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 sch ool district.
I. As a condition of receiving accreditation from the State
Board of Education, all students in grades nine throug h twelve shall
enroll in a minimum of six periods, or the equivalent in block
scheduling or other scheduling structure that all ows for instruction
in sets of competencies, of rigorous academic and/or rigorous
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vocational courses each day, which may include arts, vocal and
instrumental music, speech classes, and physical education classes.
J. 1. Academic and vocational -technical courses designed to
offer sets of competencies integrated or embedded within the courses
that provide for the teaching and learnin g of the appropriate skil ls
and knowledge in the subject matter standards, as adopted by the
State Board of Education, may, upo n approval of the Board, in
consultation with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology
Education if the courses are offer ed at a technology center school
district, be counted for academic credit and toward meeting the
graduation requirements of thi s section.
2. Internet-based courses offered by a technology center school
that are taught by a certified teacher and provide fo r the teaching
and learning of the appropriate skills and knowledge in the subject
matter standards may, upon approval of the S tate Board of Education
and the independent district board of education, be counted for
academic credit and toward meeting the gr aduation requirements of
this section.
3. Internet-based courses or vocational -technical courses
utilizing integrated or embed ded 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
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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 bo dy and that are
taught by a certified teacher and provide for the teaching and
learning of the appropriate skills and knowledge i n the subject
matter standards may, upon approval of the State Board of Education
and the school district board of education, b e counted for academic
credit and toward meeting the graduation requirements of this
section.
K. The State Board of Education sh all provide an option for
high school graduation based upon attainment of the desired levels
of competencies as required in tes ts pursuant to the provisions of
Section 1210.508 of this title. Such option shall be in lieu of the
amount of course credits ea rned.
L. The State Board of Education shall prescribe, adopt and
approve a promotion system based on the attainment by student s of
specified levels of competencies in each area of the core
curriculum.
M. Children who have individualized education program s pursuant
to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and who
satisfy the graduation requirements through the i ndividualized
education program for that student shall be awarded a standard
diploma.
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N. Students who enter the ninth grade in o r prior to the 2007-
08 school year who are enrolled in an alternative education program
and meet the requirements of their plan s leading to high school
graduation developed pursuant to Section 1210.568 of this title
shall be awarded a standard diploma.
O. Any student who complete s the curriculum requirements of the
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program shall be awarded a
standard diploma.
P. Any student who successfully completes an advanced
mathematics or science course offered pursuant to Secti on 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. 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. Students who have been denied a standard diploma by the
school district in which the st udent 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 prov ided
remediation or interven tion and the opportunity to complete the
curriculum units or sets of competencies required by this section to
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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. 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 November 1, 2022.
58-2-9319 EK 01/10/22