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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
HOUSE BILL 2258 By: Sterling
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 11-103.6, as amended by Section 51 , Chapter
228, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S. Supp. 2022, Section 11-
103.6), which relates to subject matter standards;
including agricultural power and te chnology,
agricultural communi cations, or agricultural
horticulture in certain 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, as
amended by Section 51, Chapter 228, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S. Supp. 2022,
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 i nstruction of students in the
public schools of this state that are necessa ry to ensure there is
attainment of desired levels of c ompetencies in a variety of areas
to include language, mathematics, science, social studies,
communication, and health and phy sical education.
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2. School districts shall develop and implement curriculu m,
courses and instruction in order to ensure that stud ents meet the
skills and competencies as set fo rth in this section and in the
subject matter standards adopted by the State Bo ard of Education.
3. All students shall gain literacy at the elementary an d
secondary levels. Students shall develop skills in r eading,
writing, speaking, computing and critic al thinking. For purposes of
this section, critical thinking means a manner of analytical
thinking which is logical and uses linear factual analysis to r each
a conclusion. They shall learn about cultures and environments -
their own and those of others w ith whom they share the earth. All
students shall receive the instruction need ed to lead healthy and
physically active lifestyles. Students, therefore, shall study
social studies, literature, languages, the arts, health, mathematics
and science. Such cu rricula shall provide for the teaching of a
hands-on career exploration program in cooperation with technology
center schools.
4. The subject matter stan dards 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 postseconda ry education without the need for remedial
coursework at the postsecondary level.
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5. The subject matt er standards shall be designed with rigor as
defined in paragraph 3 of subsecti on G of this section.
6. The subject matter standards for English Language Arts shall
give Classic Literature and nonfiction lite rature equal
consideration to other literature. In addition, emphasis shall be
given to the study of complete works of litera ture.
7. At a minimum, the subject matter standards for mathematics
shall require mastery of the standard algorithms in mathemati cs,
which is the most logical, efficient way of solving a problem that
consistently works, and for students to attain fluency in Euclidian
geometry.
8. The subject matter standards for history, social studies and
United States Government shall include stu dy of important historical
documents, including the United States Constitution, Declaration of
Independence, Emancipation Proc lamation, Federalist Papers and other
documents with significant history an d 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 ideas
and concepts it referen ces. Beginning with the 2022 -2023 school
year, the United States naturaliz ation test shall be administered in
accordance with subsection F of this section.
9. The subject matt er standards for United States Government
shall include an emphasis on civics, the structure and relationship
between the national, state, county and loca l governments and
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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 citizens and of how those governments
work.
10. The subject matter standards for he alth and physical
education shall include but not be li mited to the domains of
physical, emotional, so cial and intellectual health. Health
literacy shall include the ability to obt ain, process and understand
basic health information and services needed to make appropriate
health decisions. Health shall also include the importance of
proper nutrition and exercise, mental health and wellness, substance
abuse, coping skills for unders tanding and managing trauma,
establishing and maintaining positive relation ships and responsible
decision making. Physical litera cy shall include the ability to
move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical
activities in multiple envir onments that benefit the healthy
development of the whole person.
B. Subject to the provisions of subsection C of this section,
in order to graduate from a public high school a ccredited by the
State Board of Education with a standard diploma, students sha ll
complete the following college preparatory/work -ready curriculum
units or sets of competencies at the secondary level:
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1. Four units or sets of competencies of English to in clude
Grammar, Composition, Literature, or any English course approved for
college admission requirements;
2. Three units or sets of competencies of math ematics, limited
to Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Tr igonometry, Math Analysis,
Calculus, Advanced P lacement Statistics, or any mathematics course
with content and/or rigor above Algebra I and approved for college
admission requirements;
3. Three units or sets of competencies of laboratory science
approved for college admission requirements including on e unit or
set of competencies of life science meeting the standards for
Biology I; one unit or set of competencies of physical science,
meeting the standards for Physical Science, Chemistry or Physics;
and one unit or set of competencies from the domains o f physical
science, life science or earth and space science such that the
content and rigor is above Biology I or Physical Science;
4. Three units or set s of competencies of history and
citizenship skills, in cluding one unit of American History, one -half
unit of Oklahoma History, one -half unit of United States Government
and one unit from the subjects of History, Government, Geography,
Economics, Civics, o r non-Western culture and approved for college
admission requirements;
5. Two units or sets of compet encies of the same world or non -
English language or two units of computer techn ology approved for
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college admission requirements, whether taught at a high school or a
technology center school, including comput er 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 th is subsection or career and technology
education courses, concurrently enrolled courses, Advanced Placement
courses or International Baccalaureate courses approved for college
admission requirements; a nd
7. One unit or set of competencies of fine arts, su ch 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,
agricultural communications , or agricultural horticult ure offered by
a comprehensive high school career and technology education program.
C. In lieu of the requirements of subsection B of this section
which requires a college preparatory/work -ready curriculum, a
student may enroll in th e core curriculum as provided in subsection
D of this section upon written approval of the parent or legal
guardian of the student. For students under the age of eighteen
(18), school districts shall 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 S tate Department of
Education shall develop and distribute to school districts a form
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suitable for this purpose, which shall include information on the
benefits to students o f completing the college preparatory/work -
ready curriculum as provided for in subse ction 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 Board of Education with a standard diploma,
students shall complete the foll owing 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 competen cies of grammar 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 with content and/or rigor equal
to or above grammar and composition;
2. Mathematics – Three units or sets of competencies to consist
of one unit or set of competencies of Algebra I or Algebra I taught
in a contextual methodology, and two units or sets of competencies
which may include, but are not limited to, the following cours es:
a. Algebra II,
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b. Geometry or Geometry taught in a contextual
methodology,
c. Trigonometry,
d. Math Analysis or Precalculus,
e. Calculus,
f. Statistics and/or Probabilit y,
g. Computer Science or acceptance 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 sha ll
promulgate rules to define the provisions of this
section related to the accepte d 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 three (3) years by the Board,
h. (1) contextual mathematics 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 2 of
subsection B of this section, whether taught at
a:
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(a) comprehensive high scho ol, 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 i ndependent
district board of education,
i. mathematics courses taught at a technolo gy 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 education, 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 t aught in
a contextual methodology, and two units or s ets 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,
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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 w hich 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 school when taken in the
tenth, eleventh or twelft h 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 technolo gy center school
by a teacher certified in the second ary subject area
when taken in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade
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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 – 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 Oklahoma
History, and one-half to one 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 cour ses with content and/or rigor
equal to or above United States History, United State s
Government, and Oklahoma History;
5. Arts – One unit or set of competencies which may include,
but is not limited to, courses in Visual Arts and General Music ,
agricultural power and technology, agricultural communications, or
agricultural horticulture ; 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 school, includ ing computer programming,
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hardware and business computer app lications, such as word
processing, databases, spreadsheets and graphics, excludi ng
keyboarding or typing courses, or one unit or set of competencies of
world or non-English language.
E. 1. In addition to the curriculum requirements of either
subsection B or D of this section, in order to gradua te 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 rec ommended elective
courses as may be est ablished 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
world languages and two units or sets of com petencies 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 requirement s of this section.
3. A school district s hall 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. 1. In addition to the c urriculum requirements of either
subsection B or D of this section, beginning with ninth graders in
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the 2021-22 school year, in order to graduate from a p ublic high
school accredited by the State Board of Education , students shall
pass the United States na turalization test pursuant to the
provisions of this subsection.
2. School districts shall offer the United States
naturalization test to students at lea st once per school year,
beginning as early as eighth grade at the discretion of the school
district; provided, any student may retake the ex am upon request,
and as often as desired, until earning a passing score. For
purposes of this subsection, a passin g score shall be 60 out of 100
questions.
3. School districts shall exempt students with disabilities
whose individualized education program (IEP), consistent with state
law, indicates that the student is to be assessed with alternate
achievement standard s through the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment
Program (OAAP).
G. 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 ap plication of that knowledge;
2. "Qualified agricultural edu cation courses" means courses
that have been determined by the State Board of Edu cation to offer
the sets of competencies for one or more science content areas and
which correspond to academic sci ence courses. Qualified
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agricultural education courses shal l 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 agri cultural education and comply
with all rules of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology
Education;
3. "Rigor" means a level of diff iculty 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 specified in the subject matter standards
adopted by the State Board of Educatio n and other skills and
competencies adopted by the 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 a dopt a plan to
ensure that rigor is maintained in the content, teaching
methodology, level of expectations for stud ent achievement, and
application of learning in all the cour ses 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 diminishi ng the rigor
or undermining the intent of providing these co urses. To accomplish
this purpose, the St ate Department of Education shall work with
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school districts in reviewing and approving courses taught by
districts that are not specifically listed in su bsections B and D of
this section. Options may include, but shall not be limited to,
courses taken by concurrent enrollment, advanced placem ent, or
correspondence, or courses bearing different titles.
3. The State Board of Education shall approve an adva nced
placement computer science course to meet the requireme nts of course
competencies listed in parag raph 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 c ompleted Algebra II.
4. 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 ind ependent 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 scho ol day and credit
for the units or sets of competencies required in paragraphs 2, 3
and 6 of subsection B or D of t his section shall be given if the
courses are taught by a te acher 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.
5. If a student enrolls in a concurrent course, the school
district shall not be responsible for any cos ts incurred for that
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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 tuiti on at
an institution in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education,
fees, and books for the concurr ent enrollment course, and providing
for transportation to and from the institution to the school site.
It is the intent of the Legislature that for stude nts enrolled
in a concurrent enrollment course which is paid for by the school
district pursuant to th is paragraph, the institution charge on ly the
supplementary and special service fees that are directly related to
the concurrent enrollment course and enr ollment procedures for that
student. It is further the inte nt of the Legislature that fees for
student activities and student service facili ties, including the
student health care and cultural 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 this 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 hig h school
credit and the required rigor is maintained.
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7. The three units or sets of competencies in m athematics
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 any other mathem atics 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 o f
this section.
8. All units or sets of c ompetencies required for graduation
may be taken in any sequence recommended by the school district.
I. As a condition of receiving accreditation from th e State
Board of Education, all students in grades nine thro ugh twelve shall
enroll in a minimum of si x periods, or the equivalent in block
scheduling or other scheduling structure that allows for instruction
in sets of competencies, of rigorous academic a nd/or rigorous
vocational courses each day, which may includ e arts, vocal and
instrumental music, spee ch classes, and physical education classes.
J. 1. Academic and vocational -technical courses designed to
offer sets of competencies integrated or embedde d within the courses
that provide for the teaching and learn ing of the appropriate skills
and knowledge in the subject matter standards, as adopted by the
State Board of Education, may, upon approval of the Board, in
consultation with the Oklahoma Departme nt of Career and Technology
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Education if the courses are off ered at a technology center school
district, be counted for academic credit and toward meeting the
graduation requirements of this section.
2. Internet-based courses offered by a technology cente r school
that are taught by a certified teacher and provide for the teaching
and learning of the appro priate skills and knowledge in the subject
matter standards may, upon approval of the State Board of Education
and the independent district board of educa tion, 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 subject matter
standards have been adopted by the State Board of Education may be
approved by the Board , in consultation with the Oklahoma Depart ment
of Career and Technology Education if the courses are offered at a
technology center school district, if such courses incorporate
standards of nationally recognized professional organizations and
are taught by certified teachers.
4. Courses offered b y a supplemental education organization
that is accredited by a national accrediting body and that are
taught by a certified teacher and provide for the t eaching and
learning of the appropriate skills and knowledge in the subject
matter standards may, upon approval of the State Board of Education
and the school district board of education, be counted for academic
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credit and toward meeting the graduation req uirements of this
section.
K. 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. S uch option shall be in lieu of the
amount of course credits earned.
L. The State Board of Education s hall 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.
M. Children who have individualized education progr ams pursuant
to the Individuals with Disab ilities Education Act (IDEA), and who
satisfy the graduation requirements through the individualized
education program for that student shall be awarded a standard
diploma.
N. Students who enter the ninth grade in or prior to the 2007-
08 school year who a re enrolled in an alternative education program
and meet the requirements of their plans leading to high school
graduation developed pursuant to Section 1 210.568 of this title
shall be awarded a standard diploma.
O. Any student who completes the curriculu m requirements of the
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program shall be awarded a
standard diploma.
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P. Any student who successfully completes an advan ced
mathematics or science course offered pursuant to Sectio n 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 student 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 t he
denial of a standard diploma. The student shall be provi ded
remediation or intervention and the op portunity to complete the
curriculum units or sets of competencies required by this section to
obtain a standard diploma. Students who re -enroll in the school
district to meet the graduation requirements of this s ection shall
be exempt from the hourly ins tructional requirements of Section 1 -
111 of this title and the six -period enrollment requirements of this
section.
S. The State Department of Education s hall collect and report
data by school site and district on the number of students who
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enroll in the core curriculum as provided in subsection D of this
section.
SECTION 2. This act shall becom e effective November 1, 2023.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON COMMON EDUCATION, dated 02/14/2023
- DO PASS.