ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2921	By:	Billy, Pittman, Sherrer, Hoskin and Wesselhoft of the House

				and

		Stanislawski and Brecheen of the Senate

An Act relating to schools; recognizing Native American languages as a language art; authorizing the teaching of Native American languages in public schools; allowing Native American language classes to count as certain credit; allowing certain qualified teachers to teach Native American languages; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

SUBJECT:  Native American language education

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 11-103.1a of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

A Native American language is hereby recognized as a language art and may be taught in the public schools of the state in educational programs.  Native American language classes taught in the public schools may be counted by a public school in fulfilling core curriculum requirements and shall be granted the same credit as a world language.  For the purposes of this section, Native American languages may be taught in the public schools by:

1.  Any qualified teacher who holds a valid traditional or alternative Oklahoma teaching certificate; or
2.  A teacher who holds a valid certificate in Native American Languages issued by the State Board of Education and either qualifies for an Alternative Placement Teaching Certificate or is supervised by a teacher who is highly qualified in the content area for the appropriate level of instruction.

SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2014.

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 26th day of February, 2014.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives

Passed the Senate the 1st day of April, 2014.

	
	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: _________________________________