Req. No. 912 Page 1 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 374 By: Mann
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to schools; directing the
Accreditation Standards Division of the State
Department of Education to be placed under the
authority of the Commission for Educational Quality
and Accountability during certain time period;
directing division employees to remain under the
Department; directing division employees to make
certain reports and recommendations to the Commission
until certain date; providing for contractual
succession; specifying effectiveness of c ertain
rules; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -104, as last
amended by Section 2, Chapter 445, O.S.L. 2024 (70
O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 3 -104), which relates to
powers and duties of the State Board of Education;
directing the Commission to make certain
accreditation determinations until certain date and
directing the Board to make such determinations
beginning on certain date; updating statutory
language and references; amending 7 0 O.S. 2021,
Section 3-104.3, which relates to withdrawal or
denial of state accreditation; updating statutory
references; directing the Commission to take certain
action until certain date and directing the Board to
take certain action beginning on certai n date;
amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -104.4, which relates
to standards for accreditation of schools; directing
the Commission to adopt standards for accreditation
until certain date and directing the Board to adopt
such standards beginning on certain d ate; directing
standards to be made available for public inspection
at the Office of Educational Quality and
Accountability until certain date and directing such
standards to be made available for public inspection
at the State Department of Education begi nning on
certain date; directing the Office of Educational
Req. No. 912 Page 2 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Quality and Accountability to investigate certain
complaints and make certain report until certain date
and directing the State Department of Education to
conduct such investigations and make such report
beginning on certain date; allowing the Commission to
withdraw certain accreditation until certain date and
allowing the Board to withdraw certain accreditation
beginning on certain date; authorizing the Commission
to close a school under certain ci rcumstances until
certain date and authorizing the Board to close a
school under certain circumstances beginning on
certain date; directing the Commission to provide
certain assistance until certain date and directing
the Board to provide such assistance b eginning on
certain date; prohibiting the Commission from
assessing certain pe nalty under certain circumstances
until certain date and prohibiting the Board from
assessing certain penalty under certain circumstances
beginning on certain date; updating stat utory
reference; updating statutory language; amending 70
O.S. 2021, Section 3 -116.2, which relates to the
Commission for Educational Quality and
Accountability; updating statutory references;
directing the Commission to assume certain duties
during certain time period; providing for
promulgation of rules; providing for codification ;
providing an effective date; and declaring an
emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new sect ion of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3 -116.7 of Title 70, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Upon the effective date of this act and until March 31,
2027, the Accreditation Standards Division of the State Department
of Education shall be placed under the authority of th e Commission
for Educational Quality and Accountability. Except as otherwise
Req. No. 912 Page 3 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
provided for in this section, the transfer shall include all records
associated with the Accreditation Standards Division.
B. Upon the effective date of this act, a ll employees of the
Accreditation Standards Division of the State Department of
Education, shall remain under the State Department of Education and
shall, until March 31, 2027, make reports a nd recommendations
regarding accreditation to the Commission .
C. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability
shall succeed to any contractual rights and responsibilities
incurred by the Accreditation Standards Division of the State
Department of Education.
D. The rules of the State Board of Education relating to
accreditation of schools in this state that are in effect on the
effective date of this act , shall be enforceable by the Commission
for Educational Quality and Accountability until March 31, 2027.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, S ection 3-104, as
last amended by Section 2, Chapter 445, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp.
2024, Section 3-104), is amended to read as follows:
Section 3-104. A. The supervision of th e public school system
of Oklahoma shall be vested in the State Board of Education and,
subject to limitations otherwise provided by law, the State Board of
Education shall:
1. Adopt policies and make rules for the operation of the
public school system of the state;
Req. No. 912 Page 4 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2. Appoint, prescribe the duties, and fix the compensation of a
secretary, an attorney, and all other personnel necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the State Board of Education.
The secretary shall not be a member of the Board;
3. Submit to the Governor a departmental budget based upon
major functions of the State Department of Education as prepared by
the Superintendent of Public Instruction and supported by detailed
data on needs and proposed operations as partially det ermined by the
budgetary needs of local school districts filed with the State Board
of Education for the ensuing fiscal year. Appropriations therefor
shall be made in lump -sum form for each major item in the budget as
follows:
a. State Aid to schools,
b. the supervision of all other functions of general and
special education including general control, free
textbooks, school lunch, Indian education, and all
other functions of the Board and an amount sufficient
to adequately staff and administer these servic es, and
c. the Board shall determine the details by which the
budget and the appropriations are administered.
Annually, the Board shall make preparations to
consolidate all of the functions of the Department in
such a way that the budget can be based on t wo items,
administration and aid to schools. A maximum amount
Req. No. 912 Page 5 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
for administration shall be designated as a part of
the total appropriation;
4. On the first day of December preceding each regular session
of the Legislature, prepare and deliver electronically to the
Governor and the Legislature a report for the year ending June 30
immediately preceding the regular session of the Legislature. The
report shall contain:
a. detailed statistics and other information concerning
enrollment, attendance, expenditure s including State
Aid, and other pertinent data for all public schools
in this state,
b. reports from each and every division within the State
Department of Education as submitted by the
Superintendent of Public Instruction and any other
division, department, institution, or other agency
under the supervision of the Board,
c. recommendations for the improvement of the public
school system of the state,
d. a statement of the receipts and expenditures of the
State Board of Education for the past year, and
e. a statement of plans and recommendations for the
management and improvement of public schools and such
other information relating to the educational
Req. No. 912 Page 6 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
interests of the state as may be deemed necessary and
desirable;
5. Provide for the formulation and adopti on of curricula,
courses of study, and other instructional aids necessary for the
adequate instruction of pupils in the public schools;
6. Have authority in matters pertaining to the licensure and
certification of persons for instructional, supervisory, a nd
administrative positions and services in the public schools of the
state subject to the provisions of Section 6 -184 of this title, and
shall formulate rules governing the issuance and revocation of
certificates for superintendents of schools, principals ,
supervisors, librarians, clerical employees, school nurses, school
bus drivers, visiting teachers, classroom teachers, and for other
personnel performing instructional, administrative, and supervisory
services, but not including members of boards of educ ation and other
employees who do not work directly with pupils, and may charge and
collect reasonable fees for the issuance of such certificates:
a. the State Department of Education shall not issue a
certificate to and shall revoke the certificate of any
person who has been convicted, whether upon a verdict
or plea of guilty or upo n a plea of nolo contendere,
or received a suspended sentence or any probationary
term for a crime or an attempt to commit a crime
provided for in Section 843.5 of Title 21 of th e
Req. No. 912 Page 7 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Oklahoma Statutes if the offense involved sexual abuse
or sexual exploitation as those terms are defined in
Section 1-1-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes,
Section 741, 843.1, if the offense included sexual
abuse or sexual exploitation, 865 et seq ., 885, 888,
891, 1021, 1021.2, 1021.3, 1040.13a, 1087, 1088,
1111.1, 1114, or 1123 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma
Statutes or who enters this state and who has been
convicted, received a suspended sentence, or received
a deferred judgment for a crime or atte mpted crime
which, if committed or attempted in this state, would
be a crime or an attempt to commit a crime provided
for in any of the laws, and
b. all funds collected by the State Department of
Education for the issuance of certificates to
instructional, supervisory, and administrative
personnel in the public schools of the state shall be
deposited in the “Teachers’ Certification Fund” in the
State Treasury and may be expended by the State Board
of Education to finance the activities of the State
Department of Education necessary to administer the
program, for consultative services, publication costs,
actual and necessary travel expenses as provided in
the State Travel Reimbursement Act incurred by persons
Req. No. 912 Page 8 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
performing research work, and other expenses found
necessary by the State Board of Education for the
improvement of the preparat ion and certification of
teachers in this state. Provided, any unobligated
balance in the Teachers ’ Certification Fund in excess
of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) on June 30 of any
fiscal year shall be transferred to the General
Revenue Fund of this state. Until July 1, 1997, the
State Board of Education shall have authority for
approval of teacher education programs. The State
Board of Education shall also have authority fo r the
administration of teacher residency and professional
development, subject to the provisions of the Oklahoma
Teacher Preparation Act;
7. Promulgate rules governing the classification, inspection,
and supervision, and accrediting of all public nursery ,
kindergarten, elementary , and secondary schools, and on -site
educational services provided by public school districts or state -
accredited private schools in partial hospitalization programs, day
treatment programs, and day hospital programs as defined in this
section, Section 3-104.7 of this title, and Section 603.4 175.20 of
Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes for persons between the ages of
three (3) and twenty -one (21) years of age in the state. Beginning
on the effective date of this act until March 31, 2027, the
Req. No. 912 Page 9 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability shall enforce
rules governing the accreditation of all public nursery,
kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools, and on -site
educational services provided by public school districts o r state-
accredited private schools in partial hospitalization programs, day
treatment programs, and day hospital programs as defined in Section
3-104.7 of this title and Section 175.20 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma
Statutes for persons between the ages of th ree (3) and twenty-one
(21) years of age in this state. Beginning April 1, 2027, the Board
shall promulgate rules governing the accrediting of all public
nursery, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools, and on -
site educational services provided b y public school districts or
state-accredited private schools in partial hospi talization
programs, day treatment programs, and day hospital programs as
defined in Section 3 -104.7 of this title and Section 175.20 of Title
10 of the Oklahoma Statutes for per sons between the ages of three
(3) and twenty-one (21) years of age in the state. However,
beginning on the effective date of this act until March 31, 2027, no
school shall be denied accreditation by the Commission for
Educational Quality and Accountabili ty solely on the basis of
average daily attendance. Beginning April 1, 2027, no school shall
be denied accreditation by the Board solely on the basis of average
daily attendance.
Req. No. 912 Page 10 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Any school district which maintains an elementary school and
faces the necessity of relocating its school facilities because of
construction of a lake, either by state or federal authority, which
will inundate the school facilities, shall be entitled to receive
probationary accreditation from the Commission for Educational
Quality and Accountability beginning on the effective date of this
act, and beginning April 1, 2027, from the State Board of Education
for a period of five (5) years after June 12, 1975, and any school
district, otherwise qualified, shall be entitled to receive
probationary accreditation from the Commission until March 31, 2027,
and beginning April 1, 2027, from the State Board of Education for a
period of two (2) consecutive years to attain the minimum average
daily attendance. The Head Start and public nurserie s or
kindergartens operated from community action agency funds shall not
be subjected to the accrediting rules of the Commission until March
31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, from the State Board of
Education. Neither will the Commission until March 31, 2027, and
beginning April 1, 2027, neither will the State Board of Education
make rules affecting the operation of the public nurseries and
kindergartens operated from federal funds secured through community
action agencies even though they may be oper ating in the public
schools of the state. However, any of the Head Start or p ublic
nurseries or kindergartens operated under federal regulations may
make application for accrediting from the Commission until March 31,
Req. No. 912 Page 11 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, fr om the State Board of Education
but will be accredited only if application for the approval of the
programs is made. The status of no school district shall be changed
which will reduce it to a lower classification until due notice has
been given to the pr oper authorities thereof and an opportunity
given to correct the conditions wh ich otherwise would be the cause
of such reduction.
Private and parochial schools may be accredited and classified
in like manner as public schools or, if an accrediting associat ion
is approved by the State Board of Education, by procedures
established by the State Board of Education to accept accreditation
by such accrediting association, if application is made to the State
Board of Education for such accrediting;
8. Be the legal agent of this state to accept, in its
discretion, the provisions of any Act of Congress appropriating or
apportioning funds which are now, or may hereafter be, provided for
use in connection with any phase of the system of public education
in Oklahoma. It shall prescribe such rules as it finds necessary to
provide for the proper distribution of such funds in accordance with
the state and federal laws;
9. Be and is specifically hereby designated as the agency of
this state to cooperate and deal with any officer, board, or
authority of the United States Government under any law of the
United States which may require or recommend cooperation with any
Req. No. 912 Page 12 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
state board having charge of the administration of public schools
unless otherwise provided by law;
10. Be and is hereby designated as the “State Educational
Agency” state educational agency referred to in Public Law 396 of
the 79th Congress of the United States, as amended, which law states
that the act may be cited known as the “National Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act” Act, and the State Board of Education is
hereby authorized and directed to accept the terms and provisions of
the act and to enter into such agreements, not in conflict with the
Constitution of Oklahoma or the Constitution and Stat utes of the
United States, as may be necessary or appropriate to secure for this
state the benefits of the school lunch program established and
referred to in the act;
11. Have authority to secure and administer the benefits of the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Public Law 396 of the
79th Congress of the United State s, as amended, in this state and is
hereby authorized to employ or appoint and fix the compensation of
such additional officers or employees and to incur such expenses as
may be necessary for the accomplishment of the above purpose, and
administer the distribution of any state funds appropriated by the
Legislature required as federal matching to reimburse on children ’s
meals;
12. Accept and provide for the administration of any l and,
money, buildings, gifts, donation donations, or other things of
Req. No. 912 Page 13 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
value which may be offered or bequeathed to the schools under the
supervision or control of the Board;
13. Have authority to require persons having administrative
control of all school d istricts in Oklahoma to make such regular and
special reports regarding the activities of the schools in the
districts as the Board may deem needful for the proper exercise of
its duties and functions. Such authority shall include the right of
the State Board of Education to withhold all state funds under its
control, and to withhold official recognition including accrediting,
until such required reports have been filed and accepted in the
office of the Board and to revoke the certificates of persons
failing or refusing to make such reports . Until March 31, 2027, the
Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, and beginning
April 1, 2027, the State Board of Education shall have the authority
to withhold accreditation until such required reports have been
filed and accepted and to revoke the certificates of persons failing
or refusing to make such reports ;
14. Have general supervision of the school lunch program. The
State Board of Education may sponsor workshops for personnel and
participants in the school lunch program and may develop, print, and
distribute free of charge or sell any materials, books, and
bulletins to be used in the school lunch programs. There is hereby
created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Board, to be
designated the “School Lunch Workshop Revolving Fund ”. The fund
Req. No. 912 Page 14 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
shall consist of all fees derived from or on behalf of any
participant in any such workshop sponsored by the State Board of
Education, or from the sale of any materials, books, and bulletins,
and funds shall be disbursed for expenses of such workshops and for
developing, printing, and distributing of the materials, books, and
bulletins relating to the school lunch program. The fund shall be
administered in accordance with Section 155 of Title 62 o f the
Oklahoma Statutes;
15. Prescribe all forms for school district and coun ty officers
to report to the State Board of Education where required. The State
Board of Education shall also prescribe a list of appropriation
accounts by which the funds of sc hool districts shall be budgeted,
accounted for, and expended; and it shall be the duty of the State
Auditor and Inspector in prescribing all budgeting, accounting, and
reporting forms for school funds to conform to such lists;
16. Provide for the establi shment of a uniform system of pupil
and personnel accounting, records, and rep orts;
17. Have authority to provide for the health and safety of
school children and school personnel while under the jurisdiction of
school authorities;
18. Provide for the su pervision of the transportation of
pupils;
Req. No. 912 Page 15 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
19. Have authority, upon request of the local school board, to
act in behalf of the public schools of the state in the purchase of
transportation equipment;
20. Have authority and is hereby required to perform a ll duties
necessary to the administration of the public school system in
Oklahoma as specified in the Oklahoma School Code; and, in addition
thereto, those duties not specifically mentioned herein if not
delegated by law to any other agency or official;
21. Administer the State Public Common School Building
Equalization Fund established by Section 32 of Article X of the
Oklahoma Constitution. Any monies as may be appropriated or
designated by the Legislature, other than ad valorem taxes, any
other funds identified by the State Department of Education, which
may include, but not be limited to, grants-in-aid from the federal
government for building purposes, the proceeds of all property that
shall fall to the state by escheat, penalties for unlawful holding
of real estate by corporations, and capital gains on assets of the
permanent school funds, shall be deposited in the State Public
Common School Building Equalization Fund. The fund shall be used to
aid school districts and charter schools in acquiring bui ldings,
subject to the limitations fixed by Section 32 of Article X of the
Oklahoma Constitution. It is hereby declared that redbud school
grants disbursed from the State Public Common School Building
Equalization Fund shall be used for the same purposes as a building
Req. No. 912 Page 16 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
fund, as provided for in Section 1 -118 of this title. It is hereby
declared that the term “school districts” as used in Section 32 of
Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution shall mean school districts
and eligible charter schools as defined in subsection B of this
section. The State Board of Education shall disburse redbud school
grants annually from the State Public Common School Building
Equalization Fund to public schools and eligible charter schools
pursuant to subsection B of this secti on. The Board shall
promulgate rules for the implementation of disbursing redbud school
grants pursuant to this section. The State Board of Education shall
prescribe rules for making grants of aid from, and for otherwise
administering, the fund pursuant to the provisions of this
paragraph, and may employ and fix the duties and com pensation of
technicians, aides, clerks, stenographers, attorneys, and other
personnel deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this
paragraph. The cost of administering the fund shall be paid from
monies appropriated to the State Board of Education for the
operation of the State Department of Education. From monies
apportioned to the fund, the State Department of Education may
reserve not more than one -half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) for
purposes of administering the fund;
22. Recognize that the Director of the Department of
Corrections shall be the administrative authority for the schools
which are maintained in the state reformatories and shall appoint
Req. No. 912 Page 17 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
the principals and teachers in such schools. Provided, that rules
of the State Board of Education for the classification , and
inspection, and accreditation of public schools shall be applicable
to such schools; and such schools shall comply with standards set
rules adopted by the State Board of Education . Until March 31,
2027, the rules of the Co mmission for Educational Quality and
Accountability, and beginning April 1, 2027, the rules of the Board
for accreditation of public schools shall be applicable to such
schools; and
23. Have authority to administer a revolving fund which is
hereby created in the State Treasury, to be designated the
“Statistical Services Revolving Fund ”. The fund shall consist of
all monies received from the various school districts of the state,
the United States Government, and other sources for the purpose of
furnishing or financing statistical services and for any other
purpose as designated by the Legislature. The State Board of
Education is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with sc hool
districts, municipalities, the United States Government,
foundations, and other agencies or individuals for services,
programs, or research projects. The Statistical Services Revolving
Fund shall be administered in accordance with Section 155 of Titl e
62 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. 1. The redbud school grants shall be deter mined by the
State Department of Education as follows:
Req. No. 912 Page 18 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
a. divide the county four -mill levy revenue by four to
determine the nonchargeable county four -mill revenue
for each school district,
b. determine the amount of new revenue generated by the
five-mill building fund levy as authorized by Section
10 of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution for each
school district as reported in the Oklahoma Cost
Accounting System for the preced ing fiscal year,
c. add the amounts calculated in subparagraphs a and b of
this paragraph to determine the nonchargeable millage
for each school district,
d. add the nonchargeable millage in each district
statewide as calculated in subparagraph c of this
paragraph and divide the total by the average daily
membership in public schools statewide based on the
preceding school year ’s average daily membership,
according to the provisions of Section 18 -107 of this
title. This amount is the statewide nonchargeabl e
millage per student, known as the baseline local
funding per student,
e. all eligible charter schools shall be included in
these calculations as unique school districts,
separate from the school district that may sponsor the
eligible charter school, and the total number of
Req. No. 912 Page 19 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
districts shall be used to determine the statewide
average baseline local funding per student,
f. for each school district or eligible charter school
which is below the baseline local funding per student,
the Department shall subtract t he baseline local
funding per student from the average nonchargeable
millage per student of the school district or eligible
charter school to determine the nonchargeable millage
per student shortfall for each district, and
g. the nonchargeable millage per student shortfall for a
school district or eligible charter school shall be
multiplied by the average daily membership of the
preceding school year of the eligible school district
or eligible charter school. This amount shall be the
redbud school grant am ount for the school district or
eligible charter school.
2. For fiscal year 2 022, monies for the redbud school grants
shall be expended from the funds apportioned pursuant to Section 426
of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes. For fiscal year 2023 and each
subsequent fiscal year, monies for the redbud school grants shall be
appropriated pursuant to Section 426 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma
Statutes, not to exceed three -fourths (3/4) of the tax collected in
the preceding fiscal year pursuant to Section 426 of Title 63 of the
Oklahoma Statutes as determined by the Oklahoma Tax Commission . For
Req. No. 912 Page 20 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year, if such
appropriated funds are insufficient to fund the redbud school
grants, then an additional apportionment of funds s hall be made from
sales tax collections as provided by subsection D of Section 1353 of
Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes. If both funds are insufficient,
the Department shall promulgate rules to permit a decrease to the
baseline local funding per student to the highest amount allowed
with the funding available.
3. As used in this section, “eligible charter school ” shall
mean a charter school which is sponsored pursuant to the provisions
of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act. Provided, however, eligible
charter school shall not include a statewide virtual charter school
sponsored by the Statewide Charter School Board but shall only
include those which provide in -person or blended instruction, as
provided by Section 1 -111 of this title, to not less than two -thirds
(2/3) of students as the primary means of instructional service
delivery.
4. The Department shall develop a program to acknowledge the
redbud school grant recipients and shall include elected members of
the House of Representatives and Senate who re present the school
districts and eligible charter schools.
5. The Department shall create a dedicated page on its website
listing annual redbud school grant recipients, amount awarded to
Req. No. 912 Page 21 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
each recipient, and other pertinent information about the Redbud
School Funding Act.
6. The Department shall provide the chair of the House
Appropriations and Budget Committee and the chair of the Senate
Appropriations Committee no later than February 1 of each year with
an estimate of the upcoming year ’s redbud school grant allocation as
prescribed by this section.
SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -104.3, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3-104.3. A. The Legislature, recognizing its
obligation to the children of this state to e nsure their opportunity
to receive an excellent education, and recognizing its obligation to
the taxpayers of this state to ensure that schooling is accomplished
in an efficient manner, hereby establishes requirements for
compliance with quality standards which the public schools and
school districts, within the limits of resources now or subsequently
available, must meet.
B. State accreditation shall be withdrawn from or denied to
schools or school districts that do not meet the requirements of
Sections 2 3-104.4, 3 11-103, 6 11-103.6, 28 18-113.1, 29 18-113.2,
30 18-113.3, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 18-114.15, and 49 5-141 of this act
title, and until March 31, 2027, the Commission for Educational
Quality and Accountability, and beginning April 1, 2027, the State
Board of Education shall take action as required by this act section
Req. No. 912 Page 22 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
to ensure that students affected are enrolled in schools that are
able to maintain state accreditation. Nothing herein shall be
construed as prohibiting the withdrawing or denial of acc reditation
for failure to meet requirements as elsewhere provided by law.
SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -104.4, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3-104.4. A. The Until March 31, 2027, the Commission
for Educational Quality and Accountability, and beginning April 1,
2027, the State Board of Education shall adopt standards for the
accreditation of the public schools in this state according to the
requirements of Section 3 -104.3 et seq. of this title, to be
effective as set forth in Section 3 -104.3 et seq. of this title.
The accreditation standards shall incorporate the curricular
standards established pursuant to Section 11 -103.6 of this title.
The accreditation standards shall equal or exceed nationally
recognized accreditation standards to the extent that the standards
are consistent with an academic results oriented approach to
accreditation. The accreditation adopted by the State Commission
for Educational Quality and Accountability until March 31, 2027, an d
beginning April 1, 2027, the accreditation adopted by the Board
shall encompass accreditation for elementary schools, middle
schools, junior high schools, and high schools. The accreditation
standards shall be made available for public inspection at the
offices of the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability
Req. No. 912 Page 23 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, at the offices of
the State Department of Education.
B. Standards for accreditation adopted by the Commission for
Educational Quality and A ccountability until March 31, 2027, and
beginning April 1, 2027, standards for accreditation adopted by the
State Board of Education shall include standards relating to the
provision of school counselors to the public school children of this
state. The Until March 31, 2027, the Commission, and beginning
April 1, 2027, the State Board of Education shall require each local
school district to provide information regarding the number of
counselors serving each school site, the duties of all such
counselors including all administrative duties, the number of
students served by each counse lor, and information regarding the
number of counselors employed per elementary school, middle school,
junior high school, and high school.
C. Except as otherwise provided, scho ols shall meet the
accreditation standards as a condition of continued accreditation.
Nothing herein shall be construed as preventing changes to the
adopted standards by the Commission for Educational Quality and
Accountability until March 31, 2027, and b y the State Board of
Education beginning April 1, 2027, pursuant to the Admini strative
Procedures Act. The accreditation standards shall provide for
warnings, probation, or nonaccredited status for schools that fail
to meet the standards. The Until March 31, 2027, the Office of
Req. No. 912 Page 24 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Educational Quality and Accountability , and beginning April 1, 2027,
the Department shall investigate a complaint of failure to provide
educational services or failure to comply with accreditation
standards within thirty (30) days of receiving the complaint. If
the Office of Educational Quality and Accounta bility until March 31,
2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, the Department determines that a
school has failed to comply with the accreditation standards, the
Office until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, the
Department shall report the recommended warning, probation , or
nonaccredited accreditation status to the Commission for Educational
Quality and Accountability until March 31, 2027, and beginning April
1, 2027, to the State Board of Education within ninety (90) days.
If a school does not take action to comply with the accreditation
standards within ninety (90) days after a report is filed by the
Office until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, by the
Department, the Commission for Educational Quality and
Accountability until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027,
the Board shall withdraw accreditation for the school. The State
Board Until March 31, 2027, the Commission ’s accreditation
regulations, and beginning April 1, 2027, the Board ’s accreditation
regulations shall provide for warnings and for assistance to schools
and school districts whenever there is reason to believe a school is
in danger of losing its state accreditation.
Req. No. 912 Page 25 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
D. If one or more sch ool sites fail to receive accreditation as
required pursuant to this section or subsequently lose
accreditation, the Commission for Educational Quality and
Accountability until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027,
the State Board of Education shall close the school and reassign the
students to accredited schools within the d istrict or shall annex
the district to one or more other districts in which the students
can be educated in accredited schools.
E. Standards for accreditation adopted by the Commission for
Educational Quality and Accountability until March 31, 2027, and
beginning April 1, 2027, by the State Board of Education shall
include standards relating to the provision of educational services
provided in partial hospitalization programs, da y treatment
programs, day hospital programs, residential treatment programs , and
emergency shelter programs for persons between the ages of three (3)
and twenty-one (21) years of age. The accreditation standards shall
apply to on-site and off-site educational services provided by
public school districts or state -accredited private schools. Each
school which is providing or is required to provide educational
services for students placed in a program as described in this
subsection shall be actively monitor ed by the State Department of
Education. The Department shall determine on an ongoing basis if
the educational program and services are in compliance with the
accreditation standards.
Req. No. 912 Page 26 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
F. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability
until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, the State Board
of Education shall provide assistance to districts in considering
the possibility of meeting accreditation requirements through the
use of nontraditional means of instruction. The State Commission
until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, the Board shall
also assist districts in forming cooperatives and making
arrangements for the use of satellite instruction or other
instructional technologies to the extent that use of such
instructional means meets accreditation standards.
G. 1. Accreditation shall not be withdrawn from or denied nor
shall a penalty be assessed against a school or school district for
failing to meet the media materials and equipment standards, media
program expenditure s tandards, and media personnel standards as set
forth in the accreditation stan dards adopted by the Commission for
Educational Quality and Accountability until March 31, 2027, and
beginning April 1, 2 027, by the Board.
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 of t his subsection shall cease
to be effective during the fiscal year which begins on the July 1
immediately succeeding the legislative session during which the
measure appropriating monies to the State Board of Education for the
financial support of public sc hools is enacted as law and such
appropriation amount is at least Fifty Millio n Dollars
($50,000,000.00) greater than the amount of money appropriated to
Req. No. 912 Page 27 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
the State Board of Education for the financial support of public
schools for the fiscal year ending Ju ne 30, 2019, pursuant to
Chapter 146, O.S.L. 2018. Provided, the Fifty Million Dollars
($50,000,000.00) shall not include any amount of appropriations
dedicated for support or certified employee salary increases.
Accreditation shall not be withdrawn from or denied nor shall a
penalty be assessed against a school or school district for failing
to meet the media personnel standards as set forth in accreditation
standards adopted by the Commission until March 31, 2027, and
beginning April 1, 2027, by the Board.
H. 1. The State Commission for Educational Quality and
Accountability until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027,
the Board shall not assess a financial penalty against any school
district which is given a deficiency in accreditation status du ring
any fiscal year as provided for in this subsection.
2. Beginning with th e fiscal year which begins July 1, 2021, if
the amount of money appropriated to the State Board of Education for
the financial support of public schools including funds apportion ed
pursuant to Section 2 426 of this act Title 63 of the Oklahoma
Statutes, is at least One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00)
greater than the amount of money appropriated to the State Board of
Education for the financial support of public schools for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 2019, pursuant to Chapter 146, O.S.L. 2018 , a
financial penalty shall be assessed against any school districts
Req. No. 912 Page 28 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
that do not comply with the class size limitations for kindergarten
as provided for in Section 18 -113.2 of this title and class size
limitations for grade one as provided for in subsection A of Section
18-113.1 of this title. Provided, the One Hundred Million Dollars
($100,000,000.00) shall not include any amount of appropriations
dedicated for support or certif ied employee salary increases.
3. The State Department of Education shall sub mit a report on
statewide classroom sizes to the President Pro Tempore of the
Oklahoma State Senate and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of
Representatives no later than January 1, 2022.
I. Except as provided for in subsection J of this section,
beginning with the 2019 -2020 school year, evaluations of schools to
determine whether they meet the accreditation standards set forth in
accordance with this section shall occur once eve ry four (4) years
on a schedule adopted by the Commission for Educational Qual ity and
Accountability until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, by
the State Board of Education . The Commission until March 31, 2027,
and beginning April 1, 2027, the Board may interrupt the evaluation
schedule provided in this subsection for reasons including a change
in the superintendent of the school district; determination that one
or more school district board members have not met the continuing
education requirements as defined by this title; determination that
the school district falsifie d information submitted to any public
city, county, state, or federal official or agency; initiation of an
Req. No. 912 Page 29 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
investigation by the Commission until March 31, 2027, and by the
Board beginning April 1, 2027, or a law enforcement agency; or other
determination by the Commission until March 31, 2027, and beginning
April 1, 2027, by the Board that standards for accreditation are not
being met by the school district. The schedule adopted by the
Commission until March 31, 2027, and beginning April 1, 2027, by the
Board shall allow for school districts receiving no deficiencies for
two (2) consecutive years to be reviewed for accreditation less than
annually. Provided, however, that schools shall be evaluated
annually for the purposes of:
1. Local, state, and federal funding;
2. Health and safety;
3. Certification requirements for teachers, principals , and
superintendents;
4. School board governance , including instructional and
continuing education requirements for school board members; and
5. Any other requireme nts under state or federal law.
J. Beginning with the 2019 -2020 school year, if a public school
receives a deficiency on its accreditation report, the public school
shall be evaluated annually to determine if it meets the
accreditation standards set forth in accordance with this section.
If the public school receives no deficiencies for two (2)
consecutive years, the public school shall be subject to the
evaluation timeline esta blished in subsection I of this section.
Req. No. 912 Page 30 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
SECTION 5. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -116.2, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3-116.2. A. Effective January 1, 2013, there is hereby
created the Commission for Educational Q uality and Accountability.
The membership of the Commission shall consist of:
1. The Secretary of Education, who shall serve as the chair of
the Commission;
2. One member appointed by the Governor, with the advice and
consent of the Senate, representing business and industry from an
Oklahoma employer with five hundred (500) or fe wer employees;
3. One member, appointed by the Governor, with the advice and
consent of the Senate, who is a parent of a child enrolled in a
public school in this state;
4. One member, appointed by the Governor, with the advice and
consent of the Senate, who is an administrator of a public school
district;
5. One member, appointed by the Governor, with the advice and
consent of the Senate, who shall represent higher education t eacher
education programs;
6. One member appointed by the Governor, with the advice and
consent of the Senate, who shall be an active classroom teacher in
kindergarten through grade six; and
Req. No. 912 Page 31 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
7. One member appointed by the Governor, with the advice and
consent of the Senate, who shall be an active classroom teacher in
grades seven through twelve.
The terms of the initial appointed members shall commence on
January 1, 2013, and shall end on June 30, 2014. The terms of
subsequently appointed members shall c ommence on July 1 of each year
following the election of the Governor thereaft er and shall be for
four (4) years. If a vacancy occurs, the vacancy shall be filled
for the unexpired term in the same manner as the office was
previously filled.
B. A quorum of the Commission, which shall consist of four
members, shall be present in order for the Commission to transact
any business. Members shall be reimbursed for travel in the
performance of their official duties in accordance with the State
Travel Reimbursement Act.
C. Prior to July 1, 2013, the Commission shall meet to organize
and plan for the assumption of the powers and duties of the
Education Oversight Board and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher
Preparation.
D. Beginning July 1, 2013, the Commission shall assume the
following duties:
1. Oversee implementation of the provisions of Enrolled House
Bill No. 1017 of the 1st Extraordinary Session of the 42nd Oklahoma
Legislature;
Req. No. 912 Page 32 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2. Implementation of the provisions of the Oklahoma Teacher
Preparation Act as provided for in law;
3. Make recommendations to the Governor and Legislat ure on
methods to achieve an aligned, seamless system from preschool
through postsecondary education; and
4. Set performance levels and corresponding cut scores pursuant
to the Oklahoma School Testing Program Act and as provided for in
Section 1210.541 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes this title.
E. Beginning July 1, 2013, the Commission shall govern the
operation of the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability
created in Section 3-117 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes this
title.
F. 1. Beginning July 1, 2014, the Commission shall assume the
following duties of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation
according to the provisions of the Oklahoma Teacher Pre paration Act:
a. approval and accreditation of teacher education
programs, and
b. assessment of candidates for licensure and
certification.
2. To implement the provisions of this subsection the
Commission shall:
a. include the State Board of Education in the process,
b. review and assess approved, accredited , and new
programs of teacher education, and
Req. No. 912 Page 33 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
c. encourage studies and research designed to improve
teacher education.
G. Upon the effective date of this act and until March 31,
2027, the Commission sha ll assume the following duties:
1. Adoption of standards for the accreditation of public
schools in this state pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 -104.4
of this title; and
2. Evaluating schools to determine whether they meet the
accreditation standar ds adopted by the Commission.
H. The Commission shall promulgate rules to imp lement the
provisions of this act.
SECTION 6. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 7. It being immediately necessary for the pr eservation
of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-1-912 EB 1/6/2025 11:06:13 AM