HB 1304 requires Oklahoma public high schools to offer a dedicated one-year computer science curriculum as part of graduation requirements for students in grades 8-12. It mandates that schools include computer science courses (covering programming, hardware, and business applications) as an approved option to fulfill the "two units of world language or computer technology" requirement for graduation. The bill specifies these courses must be approved for college admission and exclude basic keyboarding or typing courses. This directly affects all Oklahoma public high school students meeting graduation standards under the 2024-2025 school year curriculum rules. The policy change updates existing graduation requirements to explicitly include computer science as a valid pathway.
HB 1394 amends Oklahoma's teacher certification rules to exempt graduates of Oklahoma Commission-approved teacher preparation programs from passing the competency exam for standard certification. It also allows non-native English speakers employed in foreign language immersion programs to take the exam in their native language, with restrictions limiting such teachers to those specific programs. Additionally, the bill creates an exception for teachers with advanced degrees in substantially comparable fields, allowing them to bypass certain subject-area exams. These changes directly affect teacher candidates, school districts hiring educators, and the Oklahoma Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability.
HB 1981, the "Strong Readers Act," changes reading screening requirements for Oklahoma public school students. It requires kindergarten students to be screened at the middle and end of the school year (with the first screening by December), while grades 1-3 must be screened at the beginning, middle, and end of each year. The bill mandates state-approved screening tools that assess phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and requires schools to provide individual reading intervention plans within 30 days for students not meeting grade-level targets. These plans must include research-based instruction, progress monitoring, and free online literacy resources for families.
HB 2919 would allow Oklahoma public schools to offer "Life Skills" as an elective course for students in grades 6-12, subject to available funding. The course would cover practical topics like cooking, job application skills, financial literacy, mental health basics, and career pathways (e.g., trade schools or college). Schools could teach it through existing Family and Consumer Science courses or other applicable classes, without requiring special teacher certification, and could deliver it in person, online, or hybrid. The bill mandates alignment with workforce readiness standards and takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1159 allows Oklahoma students to transfer between schools within their district year-round, provided the receiving school's grade level has available space. It establishes specific preferences for transfers, including siblings of transferring students, children of district employees, students changing residence within the district, and those in foster care. School districts must publicly post capacity limits for transfers and prioritize students based on these preferences when space is limited. The bill requires districts to set and report these capacity limits annually, ensuring transparency in the transfer process.
