Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB1370

Introduced

2/6/23

Refer

2/7/23

Caption

School textbooks; clarifying when a school district may petition the State Board of Education; emergency.

Impact

The amendments introduced by HB 1370 are expected to have significant impacts on the approval and adoption cycle for educational resources within Oklahoma's public schools. By requiring a demonstration of extraordinary circumstances for textbook requests, the bill aims to streamline the selection process and encourage more uniform instructional materials across the state's educational institutions. However, this may also be perceived as limiting the flexibility educational institutions have in adapting newer or alternative educational resources based on local needs and developments in pedagogy.

Summary

House Bill 1370 is designed to amend existing legislation regarding the selection and approval of textbooks used in public schools in Oklahoma. The bill clarifies the circumstances under which school districts may petition the State Board of Education for textbook approvals. Specifically, it states that such petitions will only be considered under 'unusual or extraordinary circumstances', thereby narrowing the criteria under which schools can seek approval for textbooks not included in the standard list. This shift emphasizes the necessity of a rigorous review process when districts submit requests for new educational materials.

Contention

Critics of HB 1370 might contend that the stringent conditions for petitioning the State Board may hinder innovation and responsiveness to the evolving educational landscape. Concerns may arise regarding the balance between a centralized approval process and the autonomy of local school districts to select materials that are tailored to their unique student populations. Proponents of the bill argue that these changes will ensure that any deviations from the standard textbook list are thoroughly vetted and justified, thus maintaining a level of educational quality across the state.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

OK HB1370

School textbooks; clarifying when a school district may petition the State Board of Education; emergency.

OK HB3373

School textbooks; clarifying when a school district may petition the State Board of Education; emergency.

OK HB2464

Relating to textbooks adopted by the State Board of Education for public schools.

OK SB348

Schools; directing responsibility for content of all instructional materials; requiring adoption of policy for objections to use of specific materials. Effective date. Emergency.

OK HB3504

Relating to transferring primary authority for the adoption of the public school curriculum and textbooks from the State Board of Education to the commissioner of education.

OK SB1642

Relating to transferring primary authority for the adoption of the public school curriculum and textbooks from the State Board of Education to the commissioner of education.

OK SB2275

Relating to the adoption of the public school curriculum and textbooks; transferring authority from the State Board of Education to the commissioner of education.

OK HB2291

Public schools; textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials.

OK HB2772

Public schools; textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials.

OK HB1982

Schools; contracts for school materials; electronic textbook and instructional materials; contracts between vendors and schools; damages; definitions; effective date; emergency.

Similar Bills

MS HB1391

Textbooks; revise provisions related to adoption and procurement of by school districts and the inclusion of open resource material.

CA AB2385

Public postsecondary education: textbooks.

MS SB2431

Procedure for the purchase of textbooks by the State Board of Education; revise provisions of.

LA SB336

Revises the textbook adoption process. (gov sig) (RE1 SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

AL SB15

State Textbook Committee, publishers permitted to provide standards correlation evidence to State Dept. of Education, State Superintendent of Education to convene other instructional materials review committees to review and rate materials and to establish evaluation criteria, Sec. 16-36-73 added; Secs. 16-13B-2, 16-36-60, 16-36-60.1, 16-36-65 am'd.