ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 1313	By:	Enns of the House

				and

		Anderson of the Senate

An Act relating to schools; requiring school districts to adopt a grading policy; specifying certain provisions; directing the State Board of Education to promulgate certain rules; stating legislative findings; directing State Board of Education, district boards of education, and certain administrators to create certain environment within schools; permitting teachers to teach certain skills, habits, behaviors and qualities of character and in a certain manner; disallowing State Board of Education, district boards of education, and certain administrators from prohibiting teachers from teaching certain skills, habits and behaviors in a certain manners; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 11-121 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  Each school district board of education shall adopt a grading policy for all students attending public school in that district.  The policy shall include provisions for the assignment of grades on class assignments, examinations and final class grades.  The policy:
1.  Shall require a classroom teacher to assign a grade that reflects the relative mastery of an assignment by the student;
2.  Shall not require a classroom teacher to assign a minimum grade for an assignment without regard to the quality of work by the student; and
3.  May allow a student a reasonable opportunity to make up or redo a class assignment or examination for which the student received a failing grade.
B.  The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules for monitoring school districts for compliance with this section and providing sanctions for noncompliance with this section.
SECTION 2.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 11-122 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  The Oklahoma Legislature finds that an important purpose of education is to help students cultivate honesty, respect, responsibility, courtesy, respect for and compliance with the law, integrity, respect for parents, home, and community, and the dignity and necessity of a strong work ethic, conflict resolution, and other skills, habits, and qualities of character that will promote an upright, moral, and desirable citizenry and better prepare students to become positive contributors to society.  The Legislature further finds that it is important that teachers are able to model, promote and enforce the skills, habits, behaviors and qualities of character in the classroom without restrictions. 
B.  The State Board of Education, district boards of education, district superintendents and administrators, and public school principals and administrators shall endeavor to create an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that allows students to be exposed to and to practice those skills, habits, behaviors and qualities of character as set forth in subsection A of this section in the classroom.  Educational authorities in this state shall also endeavor to assist teachers to find more effective ways to promote the development of those skills, habits, behaviors and qualities of character as set forth in subsection A of this section in students.
C.  The State Board of Education, a district board of education, district superintendent or administrator, or public school principal or administrator shall not prohibit any teacher in a school district in this state from helping students learn and understand the skills, habits, behaviors and qualities of character as set forth in subsection A of this section through any means deemed appropriate, including adoption of classroom behavior requirements and enforcement of grading and assignment policies.
SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2013.
Passed the House of Representatives the 5th day of March, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives

Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate