Schools; annual reports for the Oklahoma School Testing Program; modifying certain grade and descriptions of grades; removing certain language; requiring certain measures to improve certain services. Effective date. Emergency.
The bill significantly impacts how schools in Oklahoma are assessed and reported on, including the removal of language that allowed for alternative accountability systems for virtual charter schools. By establishing a clearer framework for grading, schools are expected to align their educational outcomes with the newly defined standards, which are structured to empower parents and engage them in their children's education. The accountability system now emphasizes the importance of supporting students beyond academic achievements, factoring in additional measures like social support services.
Senate Bill 454 amends the Oklahoma School Testing Program by introducing new grading measures and accountability measures for schools. This legislation mandates that the State Board of Education provides annual reports detailing student achievement at both state and local levels. The report grades schools based on various performance indicators ranging from academic success to social support services. Additionally, the bill requires these annual reports to be made accessible to parents or guardians, enhancing transparency in school performance assessments.
While the bill aims to bolster educational accountability, there are points of contention regarding its implementation, especially concerning the removal of the ability for virtual charter schools to operate under alternative grading systems. Critics argue that this could disadvantage schools that serve a more diverse, often more vulnerable, student population. Furthermore, the push for more comprehensive measures to account for social services in evaluations raises questions about resource allocation and the operational capacity of schools to meet these new standards.