Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1097

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

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

Impact

The legislation mandates that after completion of the courses, students are required to take assessments measuring their understanding of the material covered. The results of these assessments will be collected and published by the State Department of Education. This initiative is intended to bolster students' knowledge of their government and civic responsibilities, which supporters argue is crucial in today's democratic society. The program will run until July 1, 2026, after which a report evaluating its effectiveness will be submitted to the legislative leadership.

Summary

Senate Bill 1097 aims to enhance civics education for eleventh-grade students in Oklahoma public schools by establishing a four-year pilot program. This program will provide courses that focus on important American documents and concepts such as the U.S. Constitution, civil rights history, and the Federalist Papers. The coursework will be made available to students in public school districts and public charter schools at no cost to these institutions, as the State Department of Education will contract with a provider to deliver the online courses.

Contention

While the bill is designed to improve civics education, it may generate debate regarding its content and the political implications of the courses offered. Critics may argue that the selection of topics, particularly those focusing on the 'Progressive Rejection of the Founding Fathers', could reflect a particular ideological bias. Furthermore, the effectiveness of online education, especially for such critical subjects, can be a point of contention among educators and stakeholders in the education system.