STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 53rd Legislature (2012)

SENATE BILL 1528	By:	Wilson

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to home schooling; creating the Home Schooling Act of 2012; providing short title; prohibiting regulation of home schooling of a child unless requested by certain persons; directing school districts who are requested to provide oversight of the home schooling; requiring compliance with certain curricular standards; directing the State Board of Education to promulgate rules for the oversight of home schooling; providing that curriculum shall not be limited by this act; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. 

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 8006 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Home Schooling Act of 2012".
SECTION 2.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 8007 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  The State of Oklahoma and its political subdivisions shall not regulate home schooling, unless the parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian of a child requests that the school district in which a child being educated by other means lives, provide oversight of the child's education.
B.  Upon the request for oversight, the school district receiving the request shall coordinate with the parent, legal guardian or custodial guardian of the child to ensure that the child is receiving adequate educational instruction.  Adequate educational instruction shall include but is not limited to:
1.  Ensuring that the child completes curriculum comparable to the curricular standards for instruction of students in public schools as provided in Section 11-113.6 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and
2.  Ensuring the student receives adequate number of instructional hours per school day and school year as provided in Section 1-111 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
C.  The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules for the oversight of home schooling.  School districts shall designate an employee to be the education oversight coordinator who shall work with the parent, legal guardian or custodial guardian of the child being educated to ensure the child is receiving an education equivalent to that provided to students in public school.
D.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to require or prohibit the inclusion of cultural or religious courses of study in the instruction provided by other means.
SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2012.
SECTION 4.  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.

53-2-1854	ALM	1/18/2012 7:49:01 PM