STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE BILL 2	By:	Ford

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to schools; directing the State Board of Education to adopt alternate year growth targets based on graduation rates; specifying rewards and sanctions based on meeting or failing to meet expected growth targets; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

SUBJECT:  School growth targets
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 3-157 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  The State Board of Education shall adopt expected alternate year percentage growth targets, for all public secondary schools and school districts, based on high school graduation rates.  The minimum percentage growth targets shall be twenty percent (20%) of the difference between the baseline year’s rate and the goal of one hundred percent (100%).  The baseline year shall be established in the 2010-2011 school year.  In alternating years new growth targets shall be established until all secondary schools and school districts have met the goal of one hundred percent (100%).
B.  Public secondary schools and school districts meeting or exceeding expected growth targets at the end of the initial two (2) years or in the alternate years as provided for in subsection A of this section shall be recognized by the state as notable schools and school districts.  Recognition may include, but not be limited to, citations of congratulations from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as the designee of the State Board of Education, the Governor or designee, the Representative and Senator representing the school and or school district, and banners for each school or school district achieving notable status.
C.  Public secondary schools and school districts failing to meet the expected growth targets at the end of the initial two (2) years or in the alternate years as provided for in subsection A of this section shall:
1.  Submit a high school graduation improvement plan to their district board of education at a regularly scheduled meeting prior to December 31st of the same year; and
2.  Contingent upon the availability of funding, participate in technical assistance and training provided by the State Department of Education for the purpose of reducing drop-out rates and improving high school graduation rates.  The technical assistance and training shall include identifying and implementing best practices, identifying actions the school district and schools should take to meet target high school graduation goals, and providing ongoing monitoring to assess school district and school progress in implementing recommended actions.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2011.
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.

53-1-4	CD	11/15/2010 1:04:34 PM