Private School Student Testing
Senate Bill 1381
Sponsor: Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher
Under this legislation, private school students benefiting from the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit would be required to take the same assessments required of public school students.
Reading Sufficiency
Senate Bill 1906
Sponsor: Adam Pugh, R-Edmond
Another proposal by Pugh, chair of the Senate education committee, would amend the Reading Sufficiency Act, which supports students in early elementary with reading and requires students who are reading deficient to repeat third grade. Pugh’s bill removes the third grade retention and instead requires those students to be provided intensive intervention services and a “summer academy.” It also expands reading supports to include fourth grade, and renames the law the Strong Readers Act.
Cell Phone Free Schools
Senate Bill 1321
Sponsor: Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore
Seifried’s proposal would implement a three-year pilot program to create phone-free schools. Grant funding would be provided for up to nine middle or high schools that volunteer to go cellphone free during school hours. The funds can be used to purchase devices or equipment where students can store their cellphones during the school day. It’s intended to remove distractions in order to increase educational outcomes.
Graduation Requirements
House Bill 3278
Sponsor: Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon
Though this is currently a shell bill with no specific language, Baker is expected to propose changes to the state’s high school graduation requirements following an interim study she held last fall. Increasing the required math and/or science credits from three to four is one possibility but she’s also looking into creating ways for students to obtain credit for different types of workforce training.
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