STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE BILL 268	By:	Paddack

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to school testing; amending Section 6, Chapter 432, O.S.L. 2005, as last amended by Section 11, Chapter 456, O.S.L. 2009 (70 O.S. Supp. 2010, Section 1210.523), which relates to mastery of state academic content standards; modifying requirements for demonstration of mastery; specifying certain requirements based on curricular enrollment; modifying remediation requirements; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     Section 6, Chapter 432, O.S.L. 2005, as last amended by Section 11, Chapter 456, O.S.L. 2009 (70 O.S. Supp. 2010, Section 1210.523), is amended to read as follows:
Section 1210.523.  A.  Except as provided in subsections D and E of this section, and in addition to the requirements of subsection B of this section, beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the 2008-2009 school year, every student shall demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in the following subject areas in order to graduate from a public high school with a standard diploma:
1.  Algebra I; and
2.  English II; and
3.  Two of the following five:
a.	Algebra II,
b.	Biology I,
c.	English III,
d.	Geometry, and
e.	United States History.
B.  In addition to the requirements of subsection A of this section, in order to graduate from a public high school with a standard diploma:
1.  For students enrolled in the college preparatory/work ready curriculum as provided in subsection B of Section 11-103.6 of this title, students shall complete any two of the following:
a.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in Geometry,
b.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in Algebra II,
c.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in United States History,
d.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in Biology I,
e.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in English III,
f.	attain a passing grade in an Advanced Placement course,
g.	attain a passing grade in an International Baccalaureate course,
h.	complete the requirements for a business- and industry-endorsed and recognized credential which includes successful passage of an examination recommended without reservation by the Southern Regional Education Board in its review of career and technology education state and national tests that may serve as alternatives, provided the test is a state and/or national business- and industry-recognized test that results in a business- and industry-endorsed and recognized credential,
i.	complete an art or music portfolio, or
j.	attain a passing grade in a college course; and
2.  For students enrolled in the core curriculum as provided in subsection D of Section 11-103.6 of this title, students shall complete any two of the following:
a.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in Geometry,
b.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in Algebra II,
c.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in United States History,
d.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in Biology I,
e.	demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in English III,
f.	attain a grade of C or higher in an additional core subject area course in place of an end-of-instruction test as provided in subparagraphs a through e of this paragraph if demonstration of mastery is not attained; provided the course is in the same subject as the end-of-instruction test it replaces, or
g.	completion of a district-approved plan to evaluate the student’s body of work in the subject area for which demonstration of mastery was not attained on an end-of-instruction test as provided in subparagraphs a through e of this paragraph.
To demonstrate mastery, the student shall attain at least a proficient score on the end-of-instruction criterion-referenced tests administered pursuant to Section 1210.508 of this title.
C.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, students Students who do not attain at least a proficient score on any an end-of-instruction test shall be provided remediation and the opportunity to retake the test until at least a proficient score is attained on the tests of Algebra I, and English II and two of the tests required in paragraph 3 of subsection A of this section or an approved alternative test.  Remediation for Geometry, Algebra II, English III, United States History, and Biology I shall not be required to be provided by districts to students unless the student chooses to retake the end-of-instruction test in the same subject.  Technology center schools shall be authorized to provide intervention and remediation in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, English II, English III, United States History, and Biology I to students enrolled in technology center schools, with the approval of the independent school district board.
D.  1.  Students who do not meet the requirements of subsection A of this section may graduate from a public high school with a standard diploma by demonstrating mastery of state academic content standards by alternative methods as approved by the State Board of Education.
2.  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules providing for necessary student exceptions and exemptions to the requirements of this section.  The Board shall collect data by school site and district on the number of students provided and categories of exceptions and exemptions granted.  Beginning October 1, 2012, the Board shall provide an annual report of this data to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the State Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
E.  1.  Students who have individualized education programs pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) shall have an appropriate statement on the student’s individualized education program requiring administration of the assessment with or without accommodations or an alternate assessment.  Any accommodations normally employed for the assessment shall be approved by the State Board of Education and be provided for in the individualized education program.  All documentation for each student shall be on file in the school prior to administration of the assessment.
2.  Students identified as English language learners shall be assessed in a valid and reliable manner with the state academic assessments with acceptable accommodations as necessary or, to the extent practicable, with alternate assessments aligned to the state assessment provided by the school district in the language and form most likely to yield accurate data of the student’s knowledge of the content areas.
F.  The State Board of Education shall be authorized to contract with an entity to develop and advise on the implementation of a communications campaign to build public understanding of and support for the testing requirements of this section.
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.

53-1-404	AM	1/13/2011 12:27:33 PM