ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2052	By:	Jackson, Nollan, Denney, Cockroft, Mulready and Scott of the House

			and

		Halligan of the Senate

An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2011, Section 1210.229-6, which relates to programs of character education; deleting obsolete language; modifying grades in which character education programs may be offered; providing requirement for character education; modifying scope of certain grants; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

SUBJECT:  Character education programs

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     70 O.S. 2011, Section 1210.229-6, is amended to read as follows:

Section 1210.229-6  A.  The board of education of every school district in this state may develop and implement, at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, a comprehensive program for character education in any single grade or combination of grades kindergarten, prekindergarten through twelfth.  The character education program shall focus on development of character traits in students.  The program of character education may include, but shall not be limited to, the voluntary reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

B.  The State Board Department of Education shall develop and make available to all school districts through an Internet website, the following:

1.  Technical assistance upon request of a school district;

2.  A list of approved research-based character education programs, curricula, and materials which may be used by school districts;

3.  A character education honor roll that will recognize school districts that have successfully implemented a comprehensive school-district-wide program of character education and will highlight the positive impacts the program has had on each school or school district; and

4.  A character education reading list of books that may include, but is not limited to, books that illustrate models of good character and books that relate to the development of good character traits that may be used by schools in a character education program.

C.  Subject to the availability of funding, the State Board of Education may award grants to ten school districts for the establishment of pilot projects which will implement a comprehensive align character education program in the school district with the state curriculum in reading, mathematics, science or social studies and demonstrate how character education teaches life skills that lead to career readiness.  The amount of each grant shall be One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).  The projects shall be innovative programs that will serve as models for other school districts.  Funding may cover the cost of purchasing curriculum, materials, or training teachers.  The Board shall determine pilot project criteria and establish a process for the consideration of proposals.  The proposals for pilot projects shall be considered on a statewide competitive basis.  The Board shall promulgate rules for the operation of the projects.

SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2013.

SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and 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.

Passed the House of Representatives the 7th day of March, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives

Passed the Senate the 18th day of April, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.

	_________________________________
	Governor of the State of Oklahoma

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________