Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3401.2 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3401.2
Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training
Status: in_force

A. The purpose of Oklahoma State University Fire Service

Training (OSU FST) shall be to develop, deliver, support and

evaluate training, education and professional certification programs

for fire service in this state to ensure emergency responders may

safely and successfully perform their duties.

B. OSU FST shall:

1. Deliver and support training and education programs for fire

service and other emergency responders in this state to meet local

and state needs by:

a. collaborating with technology center schools and other

training providers to ensure training, training

support and support of certification testing are

readily available to all areas of the state to

accomplish the State Fire Marshal Commission annual

state training plan and regional training plans which

are voluntarily developed and adopted, and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1516

b. collaborating with technology center schools and other

training providers to develop and maintain a database

of available instructors to teach fire and emergency

responder topics. The database shall be maintained on

the OSU FST website and made available to other

training providers;

2. Collaborate with the State Fire Marshal Commission on

efforts which shall include, but not be limited to, participation in

the activities of the State Fire Marshal Commission training task

force and initiatives intended to accomplish the State Fire Marshal

Commission firefighter training goals and the state-specific

standards certification program;

3. Develop or adopt and disseminate curriculum and

instructional materials to fire departments and training providers

consistent with state and federal statutory requirements for

classes, courses and programs for delivery to fire service in this

state, with every effort being made to provide the curriculum and

materials at minimal or no cost. Unless required by state or

federal regulations, selection, adoption and/or use of the OSU-FST-

disseminated curriculum and training materials or instructors shall

be at the discretion of each training provider or local fire

department;

4. Maintain and make available by electronic means, in a manner

consistent with state and federal regulations, to the State Fire

Marshal Commission, fire chiefs, training officers and other

agencies as required by law, as requested, all training and

certification records of Oklahoma firefighters who participate in

training sponsored by OSU FST or records provided to OSU FST by

local fire departments or other training agencies. The provisions

of this paragraph shall not apply to state and federal wild-land

fire agencies;

5. Develop, administer and evaluate an accredited certification

program available to all firefighters and other emergency responders

based on National Fire Protection Association standards and/or state

and federal standards. The program shall:

a. be accredited through the International Fire Service

Accreditation Congress and/or the National Board on

Fire Service Professional Qualifications at levels

deemed beneficial to fire service in this state,

b. provide for dissemination to recognized certification

partners and posting to the OSU FST's website a list

of qualified proctors and evaluators for use during

OSU FST certification events,

c. develop, as requested, special certifications based on

state-specific standards adopted by the State Fire

Marshal Commission or other state agencies that are

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1517

designed for emergency responders in this state, which

may not be accredited,

d. maintain certification records and disseminate

certifications of State-Fire-Marshal-Commission-

adopted or -approved Oklahoma state-specific

certifications. The certifications may be jointly

labeled as the State Fire Marshal Commission, OSU FST,

the Oklahoma Career and Technology Education System or

other State-Fire-Marshal-Commission-approved training

providers administering state-specific certifications,

e. ensure that the Oklahoma state-specific certifications

shall not duplicate certifications accredited by the

International Fire Service Accreditation Congress or

the National Board on Fire Service Professional

Qualifications, or titles of certification levels

listed in the National Fire Protection Association

professional qualifications standards, and

f. when requested by an Oklahoma fire department or state

agency, facilitate delivery of International Fire

Service Accreditation Congress and National Board on

Fire Service Professional Qualifications accredited

certification processes which are not currently

available through OSU FST; and

6. Fulfill any other statutory requirements set forth by the

Legislature.

C. OSU FST shall be the Oklahoma state government

representative to the United States Fire Administration's National

Fire Academy and shall be responsible for delivering and

disseminating training courses provided by, or made available

through, the National Fire Academy.

D. Beginning September 15, 2014, and continuing on September 15

every following year, OSU FST shall submit an annual report

regarding its programs, activity and accomplishments to the Chair of

the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical

Colleges, the President of Oklahoma State University and the Dean of

the Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture

and Technology.

E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to divert funding

from one entity to another. Nothing in this section shall be

construed to limit, preclude or exempt an organization, agency or

local department from delivery of training; development, adoption or

dissemination of training curriculum or materials; participation in

a State Fire Marshal Commission certification program based on an

Oklahoma state-specific standard adopted or approved by the State

Fire Marshal Commission; or issuance of a certificate of completion

of training.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1518
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-5-147.2 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-5-147.2
Technical assistance to schools applying for Oklahoma
Status: in_force

Farm to School Program Act grants.

The State Department of Education shall provide, to schools who

apply for grants under the Oklahoma Farm to School Program Act

codified at Section 5-60.1 et seq. of Title 2 of the Oklahoma

Statutes, technical assistance with applying for grants and

administering programs that expand student access to fresh, healthy

food.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3-129.7 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3-129.7
Waiving statutes or rules
Status: in_force

A. Upon approval of an empowerment plan for a school, zone, or

district, the State Board of Education shall waive any statutes or

rules specified in the approved empowerment plan as they pertain to

the empowered school, zone, or district; except that the State Board

shall not waive requirements for the following:

1. School district employee participation in the Teachers’

Retirement System of Oklahoma;

2. The Oklahoma School Testing Program Act;

3. The requirement for students enrolled in the school district

to demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards as

set forth in Section 1210.523 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

4. The accountability system as set forth in Section 1210.541

of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

5. The federal “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001”, 20 U.S.C.,

Section 6301 et seq.

B. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the State

Board of Education shall not waive any statute or rules specified in

the approved empowerment plan for an empowered school, zone or

district if the statute or rule relates to the implementation of or

requirements for any program or grant for which the school district

is receiving funds appropriated for the support of public school

activities. The State Board of Education may waive any statute or

rule that relates to the implementation of or requirements for any

program or grant only if the funding for the program or grant is no

longer allocated to the school district.

C. Designation as an empowered school, zone, or district shall

not affect the allocation of State Aid funding for the school

district as calculated pursuant to Section 18-200.1 of Title 70 of

the Oklahoma Statutes.

D. 1. If the school district board of education for an

empowered school, zone, or district revises an empowerment plan as

provided in Section 9 of this act, the school district board of

education may request, and the State Board shall grant, additional

waivers or changes to existing waivers as necessary to accommodate

the revisions to the empowerment plan unless the State Board

concludes that the waivers or changes to existing waivers would:

a. be likely to result in a decrease in academic

achievement in the empowered school, zone, or

district, or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 177

b. not be fiscally feasible.

In requesting a new waiver or a change to an existing waiver,

the school district board of education shall demonstrate the consent

of a majority of the teachers and a majority of the administrators

employed at each school that is affected by the new or changed

waiver.

2. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 1 of this

subsection, a waiver that is granted pursuant to this section shall

continue to apply to a school, zone, or district as long as the

school, zone, or district continues to be designated as an empowered

school, zone, or district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6-196 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6-196
Review of contracts with professional development
Status: in_force

centers.

A. The State Board of Education shall review all contracts with

the professional development centers used for professional

development purposes prior to entering into any contracts with such

centers. The State Board of Education shall examine:

1. The purpose of the contract;

2. The expenditure of funds provided for in the previous year

by the state to each center provided for in this section;

3. The budgeted salaries of employees and administrators of

such centers; and

4. Any other item the State Board of Education determines is

necessary.

B. The State Board of Education shall submit an annual report

to the Governor and Legislature by January 1 of each year, which

gives the information specified in subsection A of this section for

each individual center and which includes the following:

1. The purpose of the center;

2. The hours and days of operation of the center throughout the

year;

3. The number of school districts actually served and the

number of actual teachers by school district served;

4. The number and kinds of sponsored professional development

activities and dates and any related performance evaluations;

5. All sources of funding and actual full-time-employees (FTE);

and

6. Evidence of evaluation of services by users.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-12-103 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-12-103
Regional film libraries
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall have authority to establish

and maintain regional film libraries. It shall be the

responsibility of such regional libraries to receive, maintain, keep

a record of and circulate all films received from the state

depository and to return such films to the state depository when

there is no longer a need therefor in any of the schools served by

the regional library or when directed to do so by the State Board of

Education and to furnish films to county superintendents of schools

and boards of school districts upon written requests therefor.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-7-101.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-7-101.1
Mandatory annexation or consolidation - Rules and
Status: in_force

regulations regarding procedures - Notice to school district

involved - Opportunity to appear before State Board of Education -

Determination of issue.

A. The State Board of Education shall be authorized to

promulgate rules and regulations regarding the procedures necessary

to accomplish mandatory annexation or consolidation, as provided by

and within the requirements of the provisions of Sections 2, 8, 9,

10, 11, 12 and 13 of this act, and as otherwise provided by law.

B. In any case where mandatory annexation of a school or school

district is recommended by the State Department of Education, the

Department shall notify, in writing, the board of education of the

school district involved. Upon receipt of the notification, the

school district board shall have fifteen (15) days to request an

opportunity to appear before the State Board of Education. If the

school district board fails to request an opportunity to appear, the

State Board shall proceed without further notice or delay, to

conclude the matter. If an opportunity to appear is requested by

the school district board, the State Board shall decide the issues

after hearing from representatives of the school or school district

and the State Department and shall make a final determination on the

recommendation of the Department.Notice to school district involved - Opportunity to appear before State Board of Education -
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-820.16 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-820.16
Civil remedy
Status: in_force

CIVIL REMEDY.

A. An educational institution or student athlete may bring an

action for damages against an athlete agent if the institution or

athlete is adversely affected by an act or omission of the agent in

violation of the Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act. An educational

institution or student athlete is adversely affected by an act or

omission of the agent only if, because of the act or omission, the

institution or an individual who was a student athlete at the time

of the act or omission and enrolled in the institution:

1. Is suspended or disqualified from participation in an

interscholastic or intercollegiate sports event by or under the

rules of a state or national federation or association that promotes

or regulates interscholastic or intercollegiate sports; or

2. Suffers financial damage.

B. A plaintiff that prevails in an action under this section

may recover actual damages, exemplary damages, costs and reasonable

attorney fees. An athlete agent found liable under this section

forfeits any right of payment for anything of benefit or value

provided to the student athlete and shall refund any consideration

paid to the agent by or on behalf of the athlete.

C. A violation of the Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act shall

constitute a deceptive trade practice for purposes of the Oklahoma

Deceptive Trade Practices Act and, in addition to the remedies

provided for in this section, shall be subject to the remedies

provided in Section 54 of Title 78 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-698.4 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-698.4
Grow Your Own Educator Program — Application for eligible school districts — Annual
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 44

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 45eligible school districts — Annual reports.

A. As used in this section, “eligible school district” means a

public school district or public school district foundation in this

state that has established a program to provide tuition or loan

repayment assistance to school district employees who pursue an

undergraduate degree from a teacher preparation program accredited

by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability leading

to a standard teaching certificate.

B. There is hereby created the Grow Your Own Educator Program

to provide matching fund grants to eligible school districts. The

program shall be established and maintained by the State Department

of Education.

C. An eligible school district seeking to participate in the

Grow Your Own Educator Program shall submit an application in the

manner and on a form prescribed by the State Department of

Education. The application shall include:

1. The amount of matching fund grants requested;

2. The position of the employee pursuing an undergraduate

degree from a teacher preparation program; and

3. The subject area in which the employee is pursuing an

undergraduate degree from a teacher preparation program.

D. Matching fund grants shall be awarded on a first-come,

first-served basis. Grants shall be provided without any limitation

other than the amount of funds available in the Grow Your Own

Educator Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 2 of this act

and the number of eligible school districts that apply.

E. By June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, an eligible

school district that receives a matching fund grant pursuant to this

section shall electronically submit a report to the State Department

of Education that includes:

1. A status update on the progress the employee receiving

tuition assistance is making in the teacher preparation program in

which he or she is enrolled; or

2. The employment status of the employee receiving loan

repayment assistance.

F. By December 31, 2026, and each December 31 thereafter, the

State Department of Education shall electronically submit a report

to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the

Speaker of the House of Representatives that includes:

1. The school district matching fund grant recipients;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1107

2. The amount of matching fund grants allocated to each

recipient;

3. The subject area in which the employee receiving tuition

assistance is pursuing an undergraduate degree, or the subject area

in which the employee receiving loan repayment assistance has

received an undergraduate degree; and

4. The information submitted pursuant to subsection E of this

section.

G. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to

implement the provisions of this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-5-189 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-5-189
Second or duplicate check or warrant – Stop payment or
Status: in_force

affidavit.

A school district may issue a second or duplicate check or

warrant in lieu of any check or warrant that has been issued and

subsequently lost or destroyed. No second or duplicate check or

warrant shall be issued until the school district has stopped

payment on said item by the payor bank or, in the alternative, until

an affidavit setting forth the facts as to the loss or destruction

of the original check or warrant has been received by the school

district from the payee, which affidavit may be received by

facsimile transmission. The district board of each school district

shall establish policies and procedures as will, as nearly as

possible, preclude any loss being sustained by the school district

on account of the issuance of any second or duplicate check or

warrant.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-5-128 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-5-128
Annual statistical and financial reports
Status: in_force

Boards of education of all school districts are hereby required

to make annual statistical and financial reports to the State Board

of Education. The statistical report shall be made as of June 30.

Each of such reports shall be filed with the State Board of

Education as soon as information is available following the

effective date of such reports.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-509.7 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-509.7
Impasses - Procedure
Status: in_force

A procedure for resolving impasses will be developed by the

board of education and the representatives of the organization.

Said procedure shall include the actions set forth in this section

and may include such other actions as are agreed to by both parties.

Unless otherwise provided for by law, "days" means calendar days.

Time limits set forth herein may be extended by mutual agreement of

the parties.

A. If negotiations are not successfully concluded by the first

day of school, impasse shall exist. At any earlier time, either

party may declare impasse. Upon reaching of impasse, the items

causing the impasse shall be referred to a three-member fact-finding

committee. This committee shall consist of:

1. One member who shall be selected by the representatives of

the organization within five (5) days after the reaching of impasse;

2. One member who shall be selected by the local board of

education within five (5) days after the reaching of impasse; and

3. One member who shall serve as chairperson of the committee

and shall be selected as follows:

a. The State Board of Education shall appoint as fact-

finders not less than twenty nor more than thirty

persons to be placed on the State Superintendent's

list of fact-finders. The appointees must reside in

Oklahoma, must be neutral and unbiased and must be

knowledgeable in the fields of school operations,

school finance, personnel management, dispute

resolution and hearing procedures. The appointees

shall not currently be elected public officers or

employees of a board of education or officers or

employees of an organization of education employees.

No person who is related within the second degree by

consanguinity or affinity to an elected public

officer, to an employee of the local board of

education that is involved in the impasse, or to an

employee of an organization of education employees

shall be eligible to serve as a fact-finder.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1016

b. An appointee shall serve until such appointee resigns

or is removed by the State Board of Education from the

State Superintendent's list of fact-finders. An

appointee must be removed immediately if he or she

becomes an elected public officer or employee of a

board of education or an officer or employee of an

organization of education employees.

c. Within ten (10) days of being notified that a fact-

finder is needed, the State Superintendent of Public

Instruction or designee shall provide the names of

five potential fact-finders selected at random from

the list of appointees who are available to serve as a

member and the chairperson of the committee. The

parties shall select the fact-finder from the five

names within fifteen (15) days after receiving the

list of fact-finders.

d. It shall be the responsibility of the State Board of

Education to establish rules, regulations, training,

hearing procedures, and payment schedules to implement

the provisions of this paragraph.

B. Within five (5) days after the selection of the chairperson,

the representatives who have been negotiating for the board and for

the organization shall meet to exchange written language on each

item at impasse. The exchanged documents shall also be furnished by

each party to the chairperson and other members of the committee.

C. The chairperson shall convene the committee for fact

finding. This committee shall meet with the representatives of both

parties. Within twenty (20) days after the chairperson is selected,

the committee shall present written recommendations to the local

board and to the organization.

D. If either party decides it must reject one or more of the

committee's recommendations, said party must, within seven (7) days

after the committee has presented its recommendations, request a

meeting of the representatives who have been negotiating for the

board and for the organization. The parties shall meet within seven

(7) days of the request, unless both parties deem it unnecessary.

At such meeting, the representatives shall exchange written

statements expressing each party's rationale for rejecting each

recommendation found unacceptable and shall attempt to clarify any

remaining differences. The representatives shall then resume good

faith effort to resolve the remaining differences; provided, after

fourteen (14) days after the exchange of the written statements,

either party may discontinue such effort.

E. The local board shall file a copy of the fact-finding report

with the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

If the effort to resolve differences is successful, the parties

shall draft a written agreement and present the agreement to both

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1017

parties for ratification, and such agreement shall also be forwarded

to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. If the effort to

resolve differences is unsuccessful, the local board of education

shall forward to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in

writing its final disposition of the negotiations impasse process

within thirty (30) days of the effective date of implementation.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-9106 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-9106
Commission authority
Status: in_force

A. The Commission is authorized to hire independent

consultants, conduct studies, and enter into contracts with experts

in areas such as NCAA regulations, athletic conference operations,

and financial modeling to assist in the creation of its final

report.

B. The Commission may engage with the NCAA to ensure that any

proposed conference structure aligns with NCAA Division II standards

and policies.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-18-109.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-18-109.1
State Aid Formula - Procedure
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby declares, for the purpose of financial

support to school districts through the State Aid Formula, that

greater equalization of State Aid to school districts will be

attained by the following procedure:

1. For the 1989-90 school year, the real property portion of

the valuations for those school districts in counties having an

assessment ratio in excess of twelve percent (12%) shall be computed

at a twelve percent (12%) assessment ratio to determine chargeable

valuations. Beginning with the 1990-91 school year, the real

property portion of the valuations for those school districts in

counties having an assessment ratio in excess of eleven percent

(11%) shall be computed at an eleven percent (11%) assessment ratio

to determine chargeable valuations. Beginning with the 1991-92

school year, the commercial personal and agricultural personal

property portion of the valuations for those school districts in

counties having an assessment ratio in excess of eleven percent

(11%) shall be computed at an eleven percent (11%) assessment ratio

to determine chargeable valuations. The Oklahoma Tax Commission

shall supply to the State Department of Education the information

necessary to carry out the provisions of this paragraph.

2. The real property portions of the valuations for those

school districts in counties having an actual assessment ratio of

less than twelve percent (12%) shall be computed at the actual

assessment ratio in effect for the county as determined by the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 816

Oklahoma Tax Commission in order to determine chargeable valuations

for calculating State Aid to such district if such ratio is at least

nine percent (9%) and the county is certified by the Oklahoma Tax

Commission to have a verifiable revaluation program using property

identification cards for the applicable assessment year.

3. The real property portion of the valuations for those school

districts in counties which have an actual assessment ratio of less

than twelve percent (12%) and which are not certified by the

Oklahoma Tax Commission to have a verifiable revaluation program

using property identification cards shall be computed at a twelve

percent (12%) assessment ratio to determine chargeable valuations.

For each school year, the actual assessment ratio shall be the

assessment ratio recommended by the Oklahoma Tax Commission and

certified by the State Board of Equalization for the applicable

assessment year.

4. The Oklahoma Tax Commission shall certify by October 1, for

each applicable assessment year, to the State Superintendent of

Public Instruction those counties which have revaluation programs

using property identification cards. The Oklahoma Tax Commission

shall, as soon as practicable, certify to the State Superintendent

of Public Instruction and the district attorney for the applicable

county the date as of which a county implements a verifiable

revaluation program using property identification cards after

October 1 of any year.

5. Any county assessor who fails to have an approved

revaluation program using property identification cards shall pay a

penalty in the amount of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each

calendar day beyond October 1 of any year that the county does not

have a verifiable revaluation program using property identification

cards. The penalty shall be imposed for each calendar day on and

after October 2 of each year until the county implements a

verifiable revaluation program using property identification cards;

provided, that such penalty shall be collected from any county

assessor of a county which did not have a verifiable revaluation

program using property identification cards as of October 1, 1985,

for each day from and after July 1, 1986, that the applicable county

does not have a verifiable revaluation program using property

identification cards.

6. Upon receipt of certification by the Oklahoma Tax Commission

of the counties having approved revaluation programs, the State

Superintendent of Public Instruction shall cause notice to be mailed

by return receipt mail to the county assessor, the district

attorney, the county treasurer and the superintendent of each school

district of any county not included in the certification.

7. The district attorney, upon receipt of the notice provided

for in paragraph 6 of this section, shall immediately institute an

action to collect the One Hundred Dollar ($100.00) penalty for each

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 817

day that the county does not have a verifiable revaluation program

using property identification cards. The district attorney shall be

authorized to institute a single action in district court pursuant

to which any amount of penalty may be collected for any day the

assessor fails to implement the revaluation program using property

identification cards. Any amount of such fine collected shall be

deposited in a special account within the county general fund. Such

amounts shall be apportioned to the school districts of the county

on the basis of the preceding year's average daily attendance.

8. The district attorney shall initiate action for removal of

the county assessor from office for malfeasance if the county

assessor has not instituted a verifiable revaluation program using

property identification cards within thirty (30) days after the

district attorney receives notice from the State Superintendent of

Public Instruction. Initiation of an action for the removal of the

county assessor for malfeasance as required by this section is a

mandatory duty of the office of the district attorney. If the

district attorney fails to initiate an action within forty (40) days

after receipt of the notice from the State Superintendent of Public

Instruction, and the county assessor has not implemented a

verifiable revaluation program using property identification cards,

the district attorney shall pay a penalty of One Hundred Dollars

($100.00) for each day that an action could have been filed for the

removal of the county assessor and such action has not been filed or

until the county assessor implements the revaluation program using

property identification cards. The Attorney General shall initiate

an action to collect the penalty from the district attorney pursuant

to the authority of Section 18b of Title 74 of the Oklahoma

Statutes. All penalties collected pursuant to the provisions of

this paragraph shall be deposited in the special account within the

county general fund and apportioned to the school districts of the

county on the basis of the preceding year's average daily

attendance.

9. The notice to the superintendents of the various school

districts from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall

state that the State Aid formula funds computed for such districts

based upon the actual assessment ratio valuations in excess of the

amount computed upon twelve percent (12%) assessment ratio

valuations shall be withheld from distribution to the school

district until the office of the county assessor has complied with

the requirement of a verifiable revaluation program using property

identification cards.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-13-102 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-13-102
Determination of eligibility - Minimum time permitted
Status: in_force

to attend.

The determination whether a child is eligible for special

education and related services shall be the responsibility of the

multidisciplinary evaluation team of the school district in which

such child has legal residence in accordance with the provisions of

the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), P.L. No.

101-476 and the rules approved by the State Board of Education. The

eligibility of children with disabilities shall be reevaluated at

least once every three (3) years or more frequently if conditions

warrant or if the parent or teacher of the child requests an

evaluation as required under the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA), P.L. No. 101-476.

Any child determined to be eligible shall be permitted to

receive such special education and related services for a minimum

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 613

period of twelve (12) years. Successful completion of a secondary

education program must be determined through the individualized

education program (IEP) and transcript records of the student.

Eligibility for special education and related services shall cease

upon a determination and documentation of graduation or completion

of a secondary education program in accordance with the IEP.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-22-108 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-22-108
Auditor's opinion - Time to complete - Distribution of
Status: in_force

copies.

A. Each audit of the financial statements of a school district

required by the Oklahoma Public School Audit Law shall be completed

and the auditor's opinion thereon shall be submitted by the firm to

the district board of education within nine (9) months after the

close of the fiscal year of the district board of education.

B. One copy of the auditor's opinions and related financial

statements shall be maintained by the district board of education as

a public record for public inspection at all reasonable times at the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 894

office of the district board of education. A copy or a hyperlink to

a copy of the most recent audit shall be posted on the front page of

the school district website for public inspection. All records

shall be kept at least five (5) years.

C. The district board of education shall forward a copy of the

auditor's opinions and related financial statements to the State

Board of Education and the State Auditor and Inspector within thirty

(30) days after receipt of the audit. The State Board of Education

shall retain such copy in its office as a public record where it

shall be available for public inspection at all reasonable times.

D. The State Board of Education may make inquiries it deems

necessary to determine that each district board of education is

properly complying with the Oklahoma Public School Audit Law. If

within eleven (11) months after the end of the fiscal year of the

school district a copy of the auditor's opinions and related

financial statements has not been received by the State Board of

Education and by the State Auditor and Inspector, an inquiry shall

be made by the State Auditor and Inspector as to why such auditor's

opinions and related financial statements have not been filed,

pursuant to the provisions of Section 212A of Title 74 of the

Oklahoma Statutes. Should the State Auditor and Inspector find that

the district board of education has failed to cause an annual audit

of the financial statements and compliance requirements of the

school district to be commenced, the State Auditor and Inspector

shall make a written demand on the board to complete and file such

annual audit of the financial statements and compliance requirements

of the school district within thirty (30) days of the date of such

demand.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-695.20 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-695.20
Special audits - Filing of report
Status: in_force

The State Auditor and Inspector shall perform a special audit on

the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority during the fiscal year beginning

July 1, 1992, and at least once each five (5) years thereafter. The

State Auditor and Inspector shall have the power to take custody of

any records necessary to the performance of the audit but shall

minimize actual physical removal of or denial of access to such

records. At the conclusion of the audit, the State Auditor and

Inspector shall meet with the chief executive officer and the audit

committee of the board of trustees of the Authority to review the

audit report to be issued. The report, when issued, shall include

any responses to the audit which the chief executive officer or the

audit committee wishes to have included. The State Auditor and

Inspector shall file the report with the Governor, the President Pro

Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,

the chairs of the Education Committees of the Senate and the House

of Representatives, and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education. The costs of the audit shall be borne by the Authority.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-9011 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-9011
Bond proceeds – Authorized expenditures – Final
Status: in_force

authority.

A. Proceeds from bonds or other evidence of indebtedness issued

by the higher education funding district may be expended on such

assets as authorized by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code

of 1986, as amended, or other provisions of federal or state law

based on whether the interest income paid to bondholders is exempt

from federal or state income tax.

B. Final maturity of any obligation issued by the higher

education funding district shall not exceed twenty-five (25) years.

C. Bonds or other evidence of indebtedness issued by a higher

education funding district may be sold using such procedures as may

be established by the board of regents of the institution for whose

benefit the higher education funding district has been created.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3601 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3601
Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts - Location
Status: in_force

The state educational institution located at Chickasha,

heretofore known and designated as the Oklahoma College for Women,

shall continue at the same location and its official name shall

hereafter be the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1556
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-11-109.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-11-109.1
Award of funds to nonprofit organizations -
Status: in_force

Competitive basis.

Funds appropriated to the State Board of Education for the Arts-

in-Education program shall be awarded on a competitive basis to

nonprofit organizations for programs serving schools identified by

the State Board of Education, pursuant to Section 1210.541 of this

title, as in need of improvement.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3517.2 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3517.2
Enid Higher Education Program - Transfer to Board of
Status: in_force

Regents of Oklahoma Colleges - Campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State

University.

A. The governance, supervision, management and control of the

Enid Higher Education Program is hereby transferred from the Board

of Trustees for the Enid Higher Education Program to the Board of

Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, and all interests in real property,

facilities, equipment and appurtenances, state-appropriated monies

and all duties, obligations and liabilities of the Enid Higher

Education Program and any and all obligations of the Board of

Trustees of the Enid Higher Education Program for and on behalf of

the Enid Higher Education Program are hereby transferred to the

Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. Obligations for any and all

plans for tenure or retirement of employees of the Enid Higher

Education Program, either through the Enid Higher Education Program

or the Board of Trustees for the Enid Higher Education Program,

shall be assumed by the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1555

B. The Enid Higher Education Program shall serve as the Enid

campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The Board of

Regents of Oklahoma Colleges may provide resources to the Enid

branch campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University to maintain

its facilities in accordance with its function and mission as

provided by law.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-18-109.5 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-18-109.5
Definitions
Status: in_force

A. As used in Section 18-201.1 of this title:

1. "Visual impairment" means an impairment in vision that, even

with correction, adversely affects a child's educational

performance. This includes both partial sight and blindness;

2. "Specific learning disability" means a disorder in one or

more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding

or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in

the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or

to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as

perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction,

dyslexia and developmental aphasia. The term does not include

learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing

or motor disabilities, of intellectual disability, of emotional

disturbance or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage;

3. "Deafness" means a hearing impairment that is so severe that

the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through

hearing, with or without amplification, that adversely affects a

child's educational performance;

4. "Economically disadvantaged" means all children who qualify

for free or reduced lunches;

5. "Intellectual disability" means significantly subaverage

general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with

deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the development

period, that adversely affects a child's educational performance;

6. "Emotional disturbance" means a condition exhibiting one or

more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and

to a marked degree that adversely affects a child's educational

performance:

a. an inability to learn which cannot be explained by

intellectual, sensory or health factors,

b. an inability to build or maintain satisfactory

interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers,

c. inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under

normal circumstances,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 819

d. a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression,

or

e. a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears

associated with personal or school problems.

The term includes children who are schizophrenic. The term does not

include children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is

determined that they are seriously emotionally disturbed;

7. "Gifted" means identified students as outlined in Section

1210.301 of this title;

8. "Hearing impairment" means an impairment in hearing, whether

permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child's

educational performance but that is not included under the

definition of "deafness";

9. "Multiple disabilities" means concomitant impairments, such

as intellectual disability – blindness or intellectual disability –

orthopedic impairment, the combination of which causes such severe

educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special

education programs solely for one of the impairments. The term does

not include deaf-blindness;

10. "Orthopedic impairment" means a severe orthopedic

impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance.

The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly,

impairments caused by disease such as poliomyelitis and bone

tuberculosis, and impairments from other causes such as cerebral

palsy, amputations and fractures or burns that cause contractures;

11. "Other health impairment" means having limited strength,

vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to

environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with

respect to the educational environment that adversely affects a

child's educational performance and is due to chronic or acute

health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a

heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis,

rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia and Tourette syndrome;

12. "Speech or language impairment" means a communication

disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language

impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child's

educational performance;

13. "Deaf-blindness" means concomitant hearing and visual

impairments, the combination of which causes such severe

communication and other developmental and educational problems that

they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for

children with deafness or children with blindness;

14. "Autism" means a developmental disability significantly

affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction,

generally evident before age three (3), that adversely affects a

child's educational performance. Other characteristics often

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 820

associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and

stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change

in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.

Autism does not apply if a child's educational performance is

adversely affected primarily because the child has an emotional

disturbance, as defined in this subsection;

15. "Traumatic brain injury" means an acquired injury to the

brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or

partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both,

that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Traumatic

brain injury applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in

impairments in one or more areas such as cognition; language;

memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-

solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial

behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech.

Traumatic brain injury does not apply to brain injuries that are

congenital or degenerative or to brain injuries induced by birth

trauma;

16. "Bilingual" means those students who have limited English

speaking abilities or who come from homes where English is not the

dominant language as reported on the current year application for

accreditation;

17. "Special Education Summer Program" means those summer

school programs which school districts may provide for children who

are severely or profoundly multiple-handicapped if their

individualized education program states the need for a continuing

educational experience to prevent loss of educational achievement or

basic life skills. Any school district receiving funds for such

special education summer programs shall provide services as provided

in Section 13-101 of this title; and

18. "Optional Extended School Year Program" means the program

defined in Section 1-109.1 of this title.

B. The State Board of Education is hereby authorized to modify

and redefine by rule the definitions set out in this section

whenever such modification is required to receive federal assistance

therefor.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-14-102.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-14-102.1
New, incumbent, and continuing education workshop and
Status: in_force

training requirements.

The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education is

authorized to provide new, incumbent, and continuing education

workshop and training requirements which are required for technology

center school district board of education members and State Board of

Career and Technology Education members as specified in Sections 5-

110 and 5-110.1 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The training

may be conducted by the Department or by an outside entity that has

been approved and has contracted with the Department to provide the

training. The Department shall provide each technology center

school district board of education member and State Board of Career

and Technology Education member with a training status report twice

a year.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3-154 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3-154
Review of plans by regional accreditation officer
Status: in_force

Each plan listed in Section 3-153 of this title and which is not

required to be submitted to the State Department of Education shall

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 223

be reviewed by a regional accreditation officer at the time of the

visit to the school district by an officer in accordance with the

evaluation schedule set forth in Section 3-104.4 of this title.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-17-107 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-17-107
Disposition of interest
Status: in_force

The interest earned on the investments in the Teachers’

Retirement System of Oklahoma shall be credited in the following

manner:

1. There shall be deducted from the annual interest on

investments an amount necessary for the amortization of bonds

purchased and owned by the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma;

2. There shall be deducted from the annual interest on

investments an amount of money necessary for the operation of the

Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma; and

3. Any residue remaining in the Interest Fund after the

requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this section have been fully

met shall be used for the purpose of paying retirement benefits to

the retirees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma and

transferred to the Retirement Benefit Fund; the interest income

shall be distributed to the various funds on June 30 each year.

Added Laws 1969, c. 157, § 7, operative Aug. 2, 1969. Amended by
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.307 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.307
Duty to provide programs - Parent notification of
Status: in_force

gifted status - School year plans for programs, yearly reports.

A. It shall be the duty of each school district to provide

gifted child educational programs and to serve those children, as

defined in Section 1210.301 of this title, who reside in that school

district. This duty may be satisfied by:

1. The district directly providing gifted child educational

programs for such children;

2. The district joining in a cooperative program with another

district or districts to provide gifted child educational programs

for such children;

3. The district joining in a cooperative program with a private

or public institution within such district; or

4. The district transferring identified gifted and talented

children to other school districts which provide the appropriate

gifted child educational programs, provided, no transfer shall be

made without the consent of the board of education of the receiving

school district. The district in which the child resides shall

provide transportation for the transferred student and pay an amount

of tuition equal to the proportion of the operating costs of the

program to the receiving district. Transfers authorized by this

section shall be made under such rules and regulations as the State

Board of Education may prescribe.

B. Each district shall, regardless of the method used for

accomplishing the duty set forth in subsection A of this section,

notify in writing the parents of each child identified as gifted of

the fact that the child has been so identified. The district shall

also provide each such parent a summary of the program to be offered

such child.

C. Beginning with the 1994-95 school year, and each year

thereafter, each board of education shall submit a plan for gifted

child educational programs as defined in Section 1210.301 of this

title to the State Department of Education which shall include:

1. A written policy statement which specifies a process for

selection and assessment of children for placement in gifted and

talented programs that is consistent for grades one through twelve;

2. A description of curriculum for the gifted child educational

program. Such description shall demonstrate that the curriculum is

differentiated from the normal curriculum in pace and/or depth and

that it has scope and sequence;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1212

3. Criteria for evaluation of the gifted child educational

program;

4. Evidence of participation by the local advisory committee on

education for gifted and talented children in planning, child

identification process and program evaluation;

5. Required competencies and duties of gifted child educational

program staff;

6. Number and percentage of students identified by the district

as gifted children pursuant to subparagraph g of paragraph 2 of

subsection B of Section 18-201 of this title; and

7. A budget for the district gifted child educational programs.

D. The board of education of each school district shall prepare

a report which outlines the expenditures made by the district during

that year for gifted child educational programs pursuant to the

Oklahoma Cost Accounting System, as adopted by the State Board of

Education pursuant to Section 5-135 of this title.

E. The State Department of Education shall, after each school

year, report to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the

Speaker of the House of Representatives concerning the number of

children identified for the programs, number of children served by

the programs, type of programs provided, type of screening

procedures utilized, cost analysis of the programs and the estimated

number of gifted and talented children unserved by the programs.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3-125 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3-125
Purpose of act
Status: in_force

The purpose of this act is to ensure that local schools have the

necessary freedom to innovate and improve education systems in order

to maximize student learning and performance. Pursuant to this

purpose, school districts shall be allowed to develop, make

application for and implement educational improvement plans which

would exempt the school district, a school site or any program,

grade level, consortium of schools or school districts or other

group within the district from the educational-related statutory

regulations set forth in subsection D of Section 3 of this act and

the State Board of Education rules. The plans submitted by school

districts and approved by the State Board of Education should

emphasize innovation, flexibility, and collaboration at the local

school level, accountability at the state and local level,

dissemination of results, and strict emphasis on improved student

achievement.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-5-187 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-5-187
Unencumbered balances – Date for submission of all
Status: in_force

claims – Notice.

All unencumbered balances, if any, as shown by the officer

charged with keeping the appropriation and expenditure records of

the school district on hand at the close of day June 30, may remain

as a credit for said fiscal year up to the close of day September

30. If a date earlier than September 30 is established, the

encumbrance clerk shall publish, on the district’s web site for two

consecutive times if also published in a daily newspaper and once if

published in a weekly newspaper of general circulation in the school

district, notice of the date set by the board of education for the

submission of all claims against unencumbered balances of the prior

fiscal year in the following form:

PUBLIC NOTICE

All having a claim against the ____ Public School District are

notified that all invoices and required documentation pertaining to

an approved purchase order for services rendered or goods or

materials delivered pursuant to that purchase order must be recorded

with the encumbrance clerk of the district on or before the ____ day

of _____, 20__, covering all debts now unpaid and incurred during

the period of the prior fiscal year beginning on July 1, 20__, and

ending on June 30 20___, or the claim upon which the invoice or

purchase order is based shall be void and forever barred.

__________________________

District Encumbrance Clerk

This section shall not permit the incurring of new indebtedness

chargeable to the appropriation account of the immediately preceding

fiscal year.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.254 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.254
Administraction of act
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education may administer the

comprehensive Economic Education Act of 1974 pursuant to regulations

which the State Board of Education is hereby empowered to

promulgate. Support shall be provided by the state senior colleges

and universities in the preservice preparation of teachers to carry

out the provisions of this act. These institutions of higher

education are also encouraged to establish formal Economic Education

Centers to assist the common schools with curriculum planning, in-

service training and further work in the development of

instructional materials. In administering this section, the

Department shall take into consideration the advice of the Oklahoma

Council on Economic Education.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-697.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-697.1
Legislative intent
Status: in_force

The Legislature recognizes that there is a need to upgrade the

availability of health care services for people of Oklahoma, and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1083

thus, there is a need to improve the balance of health care

workforce distribution in the state both by type of practice and by

geographic location. Furthermore, the Legislature recognizes the

need to accommodate the increasing number of graduates from the

medical and osteopathic colleges of Oklahoma by retaining their

services as practicing physicians in the state and by attracting

graduates from schools outside the state. Therefore, it is the

intent of the Legislature to increase the number of internship and

residency programs offered for the training of physicians throughout

the state through the sharing by the state of the costs of such

internships and residencies with hospitals and other clinical

residency training establishments. These programs shall be designed

primarily to emphasize the training of primary health care and

family practice physicians and to develop workforce programs to

service directly the rural and nonmetropolitan areas of the state.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-18-122 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-18-122
Provisions superceded
Status: in_force

70 O.S. 1961, Sections 3-1 through 3-7, 35a, 35b, and 35c, and

Sections 1 and 2, Chapter 434, O.S.L. 1965 (70 O.S.Supp. 1970,

Sections 3-4.1 and 3-4.2), insofar only as same are in conflict with

Sections 21 and 22 hereof, are hereby specifically superceded.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6-122.11 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6-122.11
Issuance of one-year alternative teacher certificate
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, the State Board

of Education shall issue a one-year alternative teacher certificate,

renewable for up to three (3) years, to teach early childhood

education or elementary education to any qualified candidate who:

1. a. has successfully completed a terminal degree, such as

a doctorate of philosophy, a doctorate in education,

professional doctorates, a master of fine arts degree

or a master of library science degree, from an

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 394

institution accredited by a national or regional

accrediting agency which is recognized by the

Secretary of the United States Department of

Education. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education shall be consulted to verify other terminal

degrees, or

b. holds at least a baccalaureate degree from an

institution whose accreditation is recognized by the

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and has

two (2) years post-degree-completion qualified work

experience in a field that corresponds to early

childhood education or elementary education; and

2. Declares the intention to earn standard certification by

means of the early childhood and elementary education alternative

certification program in not more than three (3) years and has:

a. within the first year satisfactorily completed six (6)

credit hours in classroom management and reading

instruction from an educator preparation program

approved and accredited by the Commission for

Educational Quality and Accountability, completed the

required State Department of Education approved

training on cognitive science of how students learn to

read and participated in a yearlong mentorship or

instructional coaching in reading and classroom

management provided by the employing school district

prior to the renewal of the provisional certificate

for a second year,

b. within the second year satisfactorily completed six

(6) credit hours in child development and math

instruction from an educator preparation program

approved and accredited by the Commission for

Educational Quality and Accountability, participated

in an additional yearlong mentorship and/or

instructional coaching in child development and math

instruction provided by the employing school district

prior to the renewal of the provisional certificate

for a third year, and successfully completed the

subject area portion of the competency examination

required in Section 6-187 of this title in the area of

specialization for which certification is sought, and

c. within the third year satisfactorily completed six (6)

additional credit hours of professional education

coursework from an educator preparation program

approved and accredited by the Commission for

Educational Quality and Accountability, participated

in an additional yearlong mentorship and/or

instructional coaching provided by the employing

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 395

school district, and successfully passed the

professional knowledge portions of the competency

examination required in Section 6-187 of this title in

the area of specialization for which certification is

sought.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6-131 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6-131
Teacher recruitment programs
Status: in_force

Subject to the availability of funds, the State Department of

Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education,

working in cooperation, shall:

1. Develop and implement programs to identify talented students

and recruit those students and other persons into the teaching

profession. Persons targeted for recruitment may include anyone

eligible for lawful employment;

2. Develop and distribute materials that emphasize the

importance of the teaching profession and inform individuals about

state-funded loan forgiveness and tuition assistance programs;

3. Give priority to developing and implementing recruitment

programs to address the areas of teacher shortage identified and the

recommendations made in the educator supply-and-demand study as

required by Section 6-211 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The

Department may use discretionary funds to carry out the provisions

of this paragraph;

4. Encourage cooperation between the business community and

school districts to develop recruitment programs designed to attract

and retain capable teachers, including programs to provide summer

employment opportunities for teachers; and

5. Encourage major education associations to cooperate in

developing a long-range program promoting teaching as a prestigious,

respected and desirable career and to assist in identifying local

activities and resources that may be used to promote the teaching

profession.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-5-103 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-5-103
Elementary school districts
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 242

Elementary school districts shall offer grades kindergarten

through eight and are those which have not met the minimum standards

for, and have not been designated as, independent school districts

by the State Board of Education. On and after July 1, 1991, every

place in the Oklahoma Statutes which refers to "dependent school

district" shall mean "elementary school district".
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-13-113 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-13-113
Services to children with visual impairments -
Status: in_force

Apportionment and distribution of funds.

State monies appropriated to carry out the provisions of this

act shall be apportioned by the State Board of Education among the

school districts providing a special education and related services

program for children with visual impairments. The apportionment and

distribution of state funds shall be on a per student basis and in

accordance with the rules to be adopted for such purpose by the

State Board of Education.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-7-105 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-7-105
Consolidation - Studies - Petition - Majority vote in
Status: in_force

entire territory – Plan of action – Conditional consolidation -

Election - Initial board for new district - New district legal

successor.

A. Two or more school districts may, whether adjacent or not

adjacent, be consolidated into a single school district in

accordance with standards, rules and procedures to be determined by

the State Board of Education. When the consolidation of two or more

school districts is proposed, the State Board of Education shall

conduct such studies of the populations, wealth, terrain, trade

areas and other factors as may be necessary to determine the

location of boundaries and the size of a proposed district which

will most nearly ensure an efficient and economical administrative

unit. The State Board of Education shall furnish the boards of

education of the school districts which might be involved

information and advice as to where the boundaries and what the size

of the proposed new district should be. Nothing herein shall be

construed to prevent the inclusion within a school district of

territory lying within the boundaries of two or more counties.

B. Ten percent (10%) of the qualified school electors in any

district may petition the board of education of such district to

request such information, or a board of education of such district

may on its own initiative ask for information and advice from the

State Board of Education on the educational advantages and

disadvantages of proposed consolidation to the children and

residents of the area which might be affected. Upon the receipt of

such a petition, the local board of education shall request the

services of the State Board of Education and shall notify the boards

of education in adjacent school districts that such a request has

been made. The State Board of Education may on its own initiative

make the study herein authorized of any area of the state and direct

the board of education of such school districts as might be involved

to set into operation in their districts the procedure for

determining what, if any, consolidation should be carried on in the

area under study.

C. Any rules or procedures which the State Board of Education

may prescribe for consolidation of school districts shall include

the opportunity for the qualified school electors in the school

districts involved to express their wishes through a majority vote

of the school electors in the entire territory involved.

D. Prior to an election for consolidation, the boards of

education of the school districts involved may develop a plan which

shall set forth the actions to be taken during and after

consolidation. The plan of action shall include agreements relating

to school site closing, disposition and utilization of property and

equipment and such other agreements as may be necessary to

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 483

facilitate the consolidation of the school districts. The plan of

action shall also include provisions related to the technology

center school district the newly formed district will be a part of

which are consistent with the State Board of Career and Technology

Education rules. The plan shall be placed on a separate ballot and

voted on by the qualified school electors of each district at the

time of the consolidation election. Both the plan and consolidation

questions must be approved by a majority vote for the plan to take

effect. The plan shall be binding on the board of education of the

newly formed district for at least three (3) years; provided, any

provisions related to the expenditure of appropriated money shall

not be binding beyond the current fiscal year. The newly formed

district may alter or disregard the plan only if there is a

significant change in circumstances, including a significant drop in

revenue to the district or in student enrollment.

E. Two or more school districts may be consolidated into a

single school district on a conditional basis. If the voters

approve conditional consolidation of the school districts at an

election for such purpose in accordance with the procedures set

forth in this section, the newly formed school district shall be

considered consolidated and shall go through the same procedure and

meet the same requirements as any consolidated school district.

Under a conditional consolidation plan, any subsequent decision to

consolidate the new school district or annex all or part of the new

school district, shall first be approved by a majority of the

electors, voting at such election, of each of the original school

districts. If one or more of the original school districts

disapproves the subsequent consolidation or annexation plan, the

plan shall not be approved. If all of the original school districts

approve the subsequent consolidation or annexation plan, the plan

shall be approved and thereafter, any further consolidation or

annexation shall be subject to approval of the electors of all of

the school districts as a whole. The original school district shall

mean only the districts which independently voted to join the

conditionally consolidated district.

F. An election for such purpose shall be held either upon:

1. A petition for consolidation or conditional consolidation,

signed by forty percent (40%) of the school district electors of

each school district included in the proposed consolidation, or

conditional consolidation said percentage being applied to the

highest number of voters voting in a regular school election in the

district in the preceding five (5) years as determined by the

secretary of the county election board, who shall certify the

adequacy of the number of signatures on the petition; or

2. The concurrence of the boards of education of the school

districts included in the proposed consolidation or conditional

consolidation, as shown by a resolution adopted by each board.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 484

The election shall be called by the State Board of Education and

conducted in accordance with the general election laws of this

state. Any vote to consolidate two or more districts, shall require

a majority vote of those voting in each school district involved.

When such a majority vote is in favor of consolidation or

conditional consolidation, the State Board of Education shall

declare the participating school districts dissolved and the new

school district established, and the newly formed district shall

thereupon be governed by the provisions of the Oklahoma School Code.

G. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee

shall convene the members of the boards of the districts forming the

new district, who shall be given the opportunity of selecting from

among themselves the initial board of education for the new

district, selecting the number of members and designating the

initial terms of service of each as required to conform to law;

provided, the members convened shall have the option of forming a

seven-member board pursuant to the provisions of Section 5-107A of

this title rather than a board of the size otherwise provided by law

and shall have the option of temporarily increasing the number of

board positions for the new district by two positions per

consolidating district for the first two (2) years following

consolidation. The temporary positions will be filled by

appointment by the board. The temporary board positions shall be

abolished two (2) years from the effective date of consolidation.

Within ten (10) days following the declaration of establishment of

the new district, the State Superintendent or designee shall declare

the agreement or shall declare that such agreement has not been

reached, in which case persons serving as members of the board of

education of the participating district having the largest number of

enumerated children as shown by the last regular enumeration shall

serve as members of the board of education of the newly formed

district for the terms for which they were elected and until their

successors have been duly elected or appointed and have qualified.

H. All liabilities, assets, powers and duties of the

participating districts shall become the responsibility of the new

school district, which district shall be the legal successor in

every respect to the school districts participating in the

consolidation or conditional consolidation in accordance with law.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3913 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3913
Construction or maintenance of roads, streets and parking
Status: in_force

areas.

Unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, the Oklahoma

Constitution or a municipal home rule charter, any municipality or

county in this state may provide funding to state-supported

institutions of higher education or higher education centers in The

Oklahoma State System for Higher Education for the purpose of

constructing or maintaining roads, streets and parking areas which

are dedicated to the public at such institutions or centers.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-11-106.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-11-106.1
Inspection of instructional material
Status: in_force

A. All instructional material, including but not limited to

teacher manuals, films, tapes or other supplementary instructional

material in any format, used by a public school as part of the

educational curriculum, shall be available for inspection by the

parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school.

B. Each school district shall develop and adopt policies

pertaining to the inspection of instructional materials in

consultation with parents and guardians. The policies shall include

procedures for granting a request by a parent or guardian for

reasonable access to instructional material within a reasonable

period of time after the request is received.

C. For the purposes of this section, "instructional material"

means instructional content that is provided to a student,

regardless of the format, including printed or representational

materials, audio-visual materials and materials in electronic or

digital formats.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-697.12 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-697.12
Cost-sharing scholarship program for physician services
Status: in_force

at correctional facilities.

The Health Care Workforce Training Commission shall establish

and administer a cost-sharing scholarship program for the provision

of physician services at the various correctional facilities under

the Department of Corrections and the surrounding or nearby

communities. Except as otherwise specified herein, the scholarship

program shall be administered pursuant to the requirements

prescribed by law for and as part of the Oklahoma Community

Education Scholarship Program. Each scholarship available hereunder

shall be funded on a percentage cost-sharing basis as follows: One-

half (1/2) of the costs to be provided by the Commission, one-fourth

(1/4) of the costs to be provided by the Department of Corrections

and one-fourth (1/4) of the costs to be provided by a community.

Each physician, who has participated in the scholarship program

hereunder, shall devote one-half (1/2) of his or her professional

time to medical care and treatment of inmates at a state

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1094

correctional facility and one-half (1/2) of his or her professional

time to medical services in the community which shared the cost of a

scholarship hereunder, for the period of time as required under the

Oklahoma Community Education Scholarship Program.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-4710 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-4710
Technology transfer systems
Status: in_force

The Oklahoma Legislature believes that one key to excellence in

higher education is having an exceptional technology transfer system

in place. This encourages an influx of excellent researchers who

see the potential for marketing the products of their research.

This benefits the state in several ways:

1. It allows the students the opportunity to work and study

with the most brilliant minds in the research field;

2. It allows industries in this state a chance to utilize the

discoveries made; and

3. It encourages the growth of new industries.

It is therefore the intent of the Legislature that the State

Regents for Higher Education encourage individual institutions

within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to devise and

implement a plan to improve the technology transfer system within

this state. It is further the intention of the Legislature that

individual researchers be given a significant percentage of all

monies generated by the successful marketing of their inventions.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-5-184 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-5-184
Authorization, acknowledgement, etc. by school district
Status: in_force

officer of issuance, approval, etc. of check, warrant or certificate

in excess of approved estimate of expenses – Violation – Penalties.

Any school district officer willfully or knowingly contracting,

incurring, acknowledging, authorizing, allowing, or approving any

indebtedness or any officer issuing, drawing, or attesting any

check, warrant or certificate of indebtedness in excess of the

estimate made and approved by the excise board for such purpose for

the current fiscal year or in excess of the specific amount

authorized for such purpose by a bond issue, shall be deemed guilty

of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine

of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment

in the county jail for not to exceed one (1) year or by both the

fine and imprisonment, and shall forfeit and be removed from office

pursuant to state law.etc. of check, warrant or certificate in excess of approved estimate of expenses – Violation –

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 9
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3908 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3908
Attorney General - Intervention in action concerning
Status: in_force

performance of charitable trust.

The Attorney General of Oklahoma is authorized, pursuant to the

provisions of Section 175.18 of Title 60 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

to intervene in any action concerning the performance of a

charitable trust.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3205.11 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3205.11
Oklahoma Free Speech Committee - Creation
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee to

the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-626.3 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-626.3
Administration
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education to administer the provisions of this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3-126 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3-126
Educational improvement plans - Components - Exemptions
Status: in_force

from statutory requirements and State Board of Education rules.

A. A school district may develop an educational improvement

plan which includes exemption from the educational-related statutory

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 170

requirements set forth in subsection C of this section and State

Board of Education rules for the school district, a school site or

any program, grade level, consortium of schools or school districts

or other group within the school district. The board of education

of the school district shall, through adoption of a resolution,

approve the plan prior to application being made to the State Board

of Education.

B. Each educational improvement plan approved by the State

Board of Education shall include the following components:

1. A description of the educational benefits to be derived;

2. A definition of the standards of the plan;

3. Development of definitive work products, such as site

improvement plans and progress reports;

4. Demonstration of collaboration by teachers, administrators,

higher education representatives, students, parents/families, and

the community;

5. Development and the use of an assessment mechanism to

determine progress in meeting the goals and objectives of the plan;

6. Development of an in-service training plan to be provided to

personnel at the site who will participate in the project;

7. Report on the results of the plan to the State Board of

Education and provision of appropriate technical assistance to other

school districts and the State Department of Education as required;

and

8. Explanation of how the plan will affect other schools,

programs or sites in the district.

C. Each educational improvement plan shall include a list of

the specific educational-related statutory requirements and State

Board of Education rules the school district is requesting an

exemption from and why each exemption is necessary to success of the

plan. The school district shall not be granted an exemption from

federal educational-related requirements. A school district may

request an exemption from any statutory requirement or State Board

of Education rule not related to bilingual and special education

programs, health and safety provisions, school finance, State Aid,

pupil formula weights, teacher salary and teacher retirement, the

Oklahoma School Testing Program, the Oklahoma Educational Indicators

Program and the teacher preparation, examination, certification,

residency and professional development system. The State Board of

Education may grant district-wide exemptions from certification

requirements for Library Media Specialists to districts experiencing

a shortage in this area. The State Board of Education may grant an

exemption from certification requirements for superintendents to any

district with an unweighted average daily membership over twenty-

five thousand (25,000).
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-35g — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-35g
Medical reports
Status: in_force

A medical report from the treating physician must be furnished

to the local school district board to substantiate that said

injuries: (1) were disabling, (2) prevented the continuance of such

person's employment and (3) the period of said disability. If a

dispute arises on said disability or activity, then either party

aggrieved may file suit in district court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6-101.11 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6-101.11
Copy of evaluation to person evaluated - Disclosure
Status: in_force

at hearings - Confidentiality.

Whenever any evaluation is made of a teacher or administrator, a

true copy of the evaluation shall be presented to the person

evaluated, who shall acknowledge the written evaluation by signing

the original. Within two (2) weeks after the evaluation, the person

evaluated may respond and said response shall be made part of the

record. Except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction,

evaluation documents and the responses thereto shall be available

only to the evaluated person, the board of education, the

administrative staff making the evaluation, the board and

administrative staff of any school to which such evaluated person

applies for employment and such other persons as are specified by

the teacher in writing and shall be subject to disclosure at any

hearing involving a teacher or administrator's dismissal or

nonrenewal from employment. Data collected pursuant to Section 6-

101.10 shall be available to authorized representatives of the State

Department of Education and its contracting designees who must be

contractually bound to the Department to maintain confidentiality of

all information received from the Department when such evaluation

data is used by the Department for data collection/analysis purposes

under the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation

System, and such other persons as are specified by the teacher in

writing and shall be subject to disclosure at any hearing involving

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 351

a teacher or administrator's dismissal or nonrenewal from

employment.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-24-130 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-24-130
Jim Thorpe Day
Status: in_force

The date of April 16 of each year is hereby designated "Jim

Thorpe Day" in and for the public schools of this state. In any

year in which April 16 is a Saturday, Sunday or school holiday, the

public schools of this state shall observe the next succeeding

school day as "Jim Thorpe Day." The several boards of education of

this state and the superintendents, principals and teachers in the

public school system may on "Jim Thorpe Day" conduct suitable

programs commemorating the accomplishments of Jim Thorpe, the

world's greatest athlete and a native Oklahoman, for the purpose of

inspiring the school children of this state to greater personal

achievements in physical fitness.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3-139 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3-139
Status of teacher returning to public school from
Status: in_force

charter school.

A. A sponsoring school district shall determine whether a

teacher who is employed by or teaching at a charter school or

virtual charter school and who was previously employed as a teacher

at the sponsoring public school district shall not lose any right of

salary status or any other benefit provided by law due to teaching

at a charter school or virtual charter school upon returning to the

sponsoring public school district to teach.

B. A teacher who is employed by or teaching at a charter school

or virtual charter school and who submits an employment application

to the school district where the teacher was employed immediately

before employment by or at a charter school or virtual charter

school shall be given employment preference by the school district

if:

1. The teacher submits an employment application to the school

district no later than three (3) years after ceasing employment with

the school district; and

2. A suitable position is available at the school district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-4013 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-4013
Control by Boards of Regents
Status: in_force

The Board of Regents which by the Constitution and/or by the

laws of this State is charged with the control, management and

government of one or more of the universities, colleges, schools or

institutions of higher education shall have for each of the

universities, colleges, schools and institutions under its

jurisdiction exclusive determination of need, control, and

management of all self-liquidating revenue bond matters as provided

for in this article.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-15-101 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-15-101
School buildings - Bonds
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall become necessary for the board of education of

any school district to raise sufficient funds for the purchase of a

school site or sites, or to erect or purchase and equip a suitable

school building or buildings, either or both, or for the purpose of

making repairs to an existing school building or buildings, or for

the purchase of school furniture and fixtures, or for making

improvements to any school site or sites, either or both, it shall

be lawful for such board of education to borrow money for which it

is hereby authorized and empowered to issue bonds bearing a rate of

interest not exceeding seven percent (7%) per annum, payable

semiannually, at such place as may be shown on the face of such

bonds, which bonds shall be payable serially as otherwise provided

by law in not more than twenty-five (25) years from date; and the

board of education is hereby authorized and empowered to sell such

bonds at not less than their par value; provided, before any bonds

shall be issued, the board of education shall cause an election to

be held in such district as herein provided; provided, further,

bonds may be voted in one issue and at the same election for any or

all of the purposes hereinbefore enumerated.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3907 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3907
College and university related foundations - Priorities
Status: in_force

and guidelines for use of unrestricted income.

It is the intent of the Legislature that trustees of college-

and university-related foundations establish priorities and

guidelines for the use of unrestricted income. It is the further

intent of the Legislature that unrestricted income be used

exclusively for the enrichment of the academic programs and purposes

of the institution or institutions to which such foundation is

related.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6-127 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6-127
Teacher's assistants - Employment - Criteria -
Status: in_force

Qualifications - Duties - Students to be included in meeting

percentage requirement - Bilingual assistants not to qualify as.

A. Beginning with the 1990-91 school year, every school site

shall employ a teacher's assistant or use a volunteer for each class

in grades kindergarten through two which has a class size of more

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 396

than twenty (20) students in average daily membership as of

September 15 of each year and which is composed of students, at

least twenty percent (20%) of whom meet the criteria specified in

subsection B of this section; provided, this requirement shall not

apply to classes that are not subject to class size limitations

pursuant to subsection D of Section 18-113.1 of this title or to

pull-out sections for Chapter 1 or to Special Education students.

Assistants shall be required as of September 15 of each year. The

State Board of Education shall establish regulations that prescribe

the qualifications for and duties of teacher assistants in public

schools. The State Board of Education shall also establish

standards and regulations which provide for a determination of how

and when eacher assistants may be used as an appropriate and

necessary part of classroom instruction. In addition to any other

duties which the Board may deem appropriate, teacher assistants may

perform or assist a classroom teacher in the performance of hallroom

duty, bus duty, playground duty, lunchroom duty, extracurricular

activities involving school functions or any other noninstructional

duty the Board may prescribe. Provided, nothing in this section

shall construe teacher assistants to be defined as personnel as set

out in Section 6-108 of this title or require teacher assistants to

possess the certification required for teachers.

B. Any student who meets the criteria established by the State

Board which are commensurate with established eligibility criteria

for participation in the National School Lunch Act of 1946, 42

U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq. as amended, shall be included in the

percentage necessary to meet the requirement of subsection A of this

section for the entitlement to a teacher's assistant for such class.

C. For the purposes of this section, and for Sections 18-113.1

and 18-113.2 of this title, a federally funded bilingual assistant

shall not qualify as a teacher's assistant.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.274 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.274
Qualifications for personnel
Status: in_force

Qualifications for all personnel to be employed in the service

centers shall be determined by the State Board of Education and in

accordance with the IDEA.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1-106 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1-106
Public schools - Definition - What included
Status: in_force

The public schools of Oklahoma shall consist of all free schools

supported by public taxation and shall include nurseries,

kindergartens, elementary, which may include either K-6 or K-8,

secondary schools and technology center schools, not to exceed two

(2) years of junior college work, night schools, adult and other

special classes, vocational and technical instruction and such other

school classes and instruction as may be supported by public

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 91

taxation or otherwise authorized by laws which are now in effect or

which may hereafter be enacted.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3517 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3517
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Status: in_force

Northwestern State College, located at Alva, Oklahoma, is hereby

officially named and shall be designated in all future references as

"Northwestern Oklahoma State University."
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-13-104 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-13-104
Authorization for special classes or individual
Status: in_force

instruction for children in institutions.

Special classes or individual instruction provided for

pretubercular, tubercular, convalescent or other eligible children

with orthopedic impairment or other health impairments in hospitals,

sanatoriums and preventoriums may be maintained by a school district

in such institutions within or without the boundaries of such

district, and the attendance of pupils therein shall be credited to

the district providing such instruction. School districts and such

institutions shall enter into written agreements which describe the

financial and service responsibilities of each in accordance with

state and federal regulations.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-4303 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-4303
Transfer of money in special funds created under prior
Status: repealed

laws.

Unless otherwise provided herein, monies in any special fund

created by or established pursuant to any law or part of a law

repealed by this act shall be transferred, at the direction of the

State Regents, to a similar fund created or established pursuant to

the provisions of this act. The term "special fund" as used in this

section, shall include, but shall not be limited to, any revolving

fund or fiscal account.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-23-106.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-23-106.1
Executive Director
Status: in_force

The chief executive officer of the Authority shall be the

Executive Director, who shall be appointed by and serve at the

pleasure of the Authority. The Executive Director shall be

appointed solely on the basis of his qualifications to administer

and direct the affairs of the Oklahoma Educational Television

Network. The Authority shall fix the salary of the Executive

Director.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-14-134.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-14-134.1
Fee waivers for children of persons killed in the
Status: in_force

line of duty.

A. Within the system of career technology districts, no fees

shall be charged to:

1. Children of Oklahoma peace officers as defined by Section

648 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes who have given their lives

in the line of duty;

2. Children of Oklahoma firefighters who have given their lives

in the line of duty;

3. Children of commissioned members of the Oklahoma Law

Enforcement Retirement System, who have given their lives in the

line of duty; and

4. Children of Oklahoma emergency medical technicians who have

given their lives in the line of duty.

B. Such waiver of fees shall be limited to a period of five (5)

years.

C. Such waiver of fees shall be a service benefit of a

commissioned member of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement

System.

D. For purposes of this section:

1. "Firefighter" means a volunteer firefighter or a permanent

salaried professional member of any fire department within the State

of Oklahoma; and

2. "Emergency medical technician" means a person volunteering

or employed as an emergency medical technician and who is licensed

as an emergency medical technician pursuant to Section 1-2505 of

Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-4202 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-4202
Accreditation
Status: in_force

Municipal Junior Colleges shall comply with, and be accredited

under, regulations and standards prescribed by the Oklahoma State

Regents for Higher Education.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-2502 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-2502
Scholarship awards
Status: in_force

A. Subject to the availability of funds, an amount equivalent

to the nonguaranteed resident tuition at an institution of higher

education or the tuition at a technology center school where the

eligible student is enrolled in a CTP program shall be awarded by

allocation from the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust Fund

created pursuant to Section 3953.1 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma

Statutes.

B. Benefits awarded through the scholarship program shall be

awarded to all eligible student applicants without any limitation on

the number of awards in any year other than the amount of funds

available for the scholarship program and the number of eligible

student applicants. Subject to the provisions of subsection C of

this section, if funds are not sufficient to provide awards for all

eligible student applicants, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education shall make awards on the basis of need. Provided, the

State Regents may take into consideration other grants and

scholarships received by an eligible student applicant when making

awards.

C. An award provided by this section shall not be allowed for

courses or other postsecondary units taken more than five (5) years

after the eligible student’s first semester of postsecondary

enrollment. The State Regents may award the scholarship program

benefits for courses or other postsecondary units taken more than

five (5) years after the eligible student’s first semester of

postsecondary enrollment only in hardship circumstances; provided,

however, no eligible student may receive benefits beyond a

cumulative time period of five (5) years.

D. The State Regents may, at the time an award is made on

behalf of an eligible student, set aside in the Oklahoma Higher

Learning Access Trust Fund funds for the full commitment made to the

student. For all academic years, students who have previously

received awards under the provisions of the Oklahoma Access and

Achievement Act and who have continued at all times to fulfill the

requirements for eligibility to receive awards provided pursuant to

the scholarship program shall be given an absolute priority for

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1379

continued financial support by the scholarship program above any

students who are applying for an award for the first time.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-17-116.16 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-17-116.16
Credit for employment in adjunct position
Status: in_force

Effective July 1, 2000, a member of the Teachers’ Retirement

System of Oklahoma who was employed in an adjunct position in an

institution under The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education

prior to becoming a member of the System, may purchase a maximum of

five (5) years of credit for such employment, pursuant to this

section. One (1) year of service credit may be purchased for any

school year in which the member worked eighteen (18) credit hours or

more in such an adjunct position. The purchase of service credit

shall be made pursuant to Section 17-116.8 of Title 70 of the

Oklahoma Statutes and shall be considered contributing service for

purposes of vesting and retirement. The Board of Trustees shall

promulgate such rules as are necessary to implement the provisions

of this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6-187B — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6-187B
Teaching Certification Scholarship Program
Status: in_force

A. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability

shall establish the Teaching Certification Scholarship Program. The

purpose of the program shall be to provide qualifying teacher

candidates who are seeking certification with a scholarship toward

the cost of competency examinations required by Section 6-187 of

Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, subject to the availability of

funds.

B. The Commission shall establish eligibility criteria for the

Teaching Certification Scholarship Program.

C. Scholarships granted pursuant to this section shall be

limited to one per teacher candidate.

D. A teacher candidate who accepts a scholarship shall be

required to submit to the Commission a declaration to teach for a

minimum of one (1) year in an accredited school district in

Oklahoma. If the teacher candidate does not teach at a school

district in Oklahoma upon achieving certification, he or she shall

be required to reimburse the Commission for the full amount awarded.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 425
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.513 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.513
Participation in National Assessment of Educational Progress – Evaluation of state
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 58Progress – Evaluation of state core curriculum standards.

A. In order to assist in the nation's evaluation of the

condition and progress of education, and in order to provide

comparative interstate information on student performance, beginning

July 1, 1997, the State Board of Education shall ensure the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1247

participation of the Oklahoma public school system in the National

Assessment of Educational Progress. The results of this assessment

shall be included as a separate result in annual reports on the

Oklahoma State Testing Program.

B. The State Department of Education shall utilize the services

of at least one qualified independent entity to conduct an

evaluation of the state core curriculum standards at every grade

level or, in high school for every subject, in which a criterion-

referenced test is administered, and shall report the results to the

Legislature by February 1, 2000.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-2601 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-2601
Short title
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Higher

Learning Access Act".
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-2-119 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-2-119
Enforcement
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 127

The Technology Center District and Independent School District

Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure Act shall be enforced by

the Ethics Commission in the same manner as Rules of the Ethics

Commission promulgated pursuant to Section 3 of Article XXIX of the

Oklahoma Constitution are enforced including, but not limited to,

acceptance of complaints, civil prosecutions, settlement agreements,

and any other compliance practices or requirements. Complaints

shall be made according to the Rules of the Ethics Commission

promulgated pursuant to Section 3 of Article XXIX of the Oklahoma

Constitution. Upon receipt of complaints of late filing, the Ethics

Commission shall investigate whether the allegation or allegations

are true and, if so, shall assess a late filing penalty of One

Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per day, not to exceed a maximum of One

Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the filing of any statement or

report. If the Ethics Commission determines the allegation or

allegations are not true, it shall take no further action. Persons

assessed a late filing fee may protest the assessment subject to

provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-820.17 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-820.17
Civil penalty
Status: in_force

CIVIL PENALTY.

The Secretary of State may assess a civil penalty against an

athlete agent not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for

a violation of the Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6008 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6008
Termination of advance tuition payment contracts -
Status: in_force

Refunds.

A. An advance tuition payment contract shall authorize a

termination of the contract when any one of the following occurs:

1. The qualified beneficiary dies;

2. The qualified beneficiary is not admitted to a state

institution of higher education after making proper application;

3. The qualified beneficiary certifies to the Regents, after

attaining the age of eighteen (18), that such qualified beneficiary

has decided not to attend a state institution of higher education

and requests, in writing, that the advance tuition payment contract

be terminated; or

4. Other circumstances, determined by the Trust and set forth

in the advance tuition payment contract, occur.

B. An advance tuition payment contract shall provide for a

refund pursuant to this section to a person to whom the refund is

payable under the contract upon termination of the contract. If the

qualified beneficiary has a high school diploma or has reached the

age of majority, and attends an institution of higher education, the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1688

amount of a refund shall be the lesser of the average tuition cost

of all state institutions of higher education on the date of

termination of the contract, or the face amount of the payment or

payments and any accrued investment income attributable to the

payment or payments, or the lowest tuition cost of all state

institutions of higher education on the date of termination of the

contract depending upon the terms of the contract. The amount of a

refund shall be reduced by an appropriate percentage if the

purchaser entered into an advance tuition payment contract that

provided for a fixed number of credit hours less than the total

number of credit hours required by a state institution of higher

education for the awarding of a bachelor's degree, by the amount

transferred to a community or junior college on behalf of a

qualified beneficiary when the contract is terminated as provided in

Section 6 of this act and by the amount transferred to an

institution of higher education on behalf of a qualified

beneficiary. Termination of a contract and the right to receive a

refund shall not be authorized under the contract if the qualified

beneficiary has completed more than one-half (1/2) of the credit

hours required by the institution of higher education for the

awarding of a bachelor's degree. However, this provision shall not

affect the termination and refund rights of a graduate of a

community or junior college. Pursuant to this subsection and except

as provided by subsection C of this section, the Trust shall make

refund payments in equal installments over four (4) years and not

later than August 15 of the year due.

C. An advance tuition payment shall authorize a person, who is

entitled under the advance tuition payment contract to terminate the

contract, to direct payment of the refund to a community or junior

college located in this state. If directed to make payments

pursuant to this subsection, the Trust shall transfer to the

designated institution an amount equal to the tuition due for the

qualified beneficiary, but the Trust shall not transfer a cumulative

amount greater than the refund to which the person is entitled. If

the refund exceeds the total amount of transfers directed to the

designated institution, the excess shall be returned to the person

to whom the refund is otherwise payable.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.524 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.524
Scientifically based research
Status: in_force

Every school district, school, administrator, teacher, and

student of the public school system in this state may choose to

participate in scientifically based research designed for the

purpose of improving academic achievement in accordance with all

relevant state and federal laws.

The State Board of Education shall adopt rules necessary to

implement the provisions of this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-7001 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-7001
Dyslexia teacher training pilot program
Status: in_force

A. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Oklahoma State

Regents for Higher Education enter into a contract with a nonprofit

education center which is certified as a multisensory structured

language training institute for the purpose of establishing a

comprehensive dyslexia teacher training pilot program.

Implementation of the pilot program shall be contingent upon the

pilot program contractor securing grant funding for the purpose of

implementing a higher education multisensory structured reading

instruction training project. The Regents shall oversee the pilot

program and, working with the pilot program contractor, shall select

not more than two institutions within The Oklahoma State System of

Higher Education to participate in the pilot program. The pilot

program contractor, using grant funding, shall implement and

coordinate the pilot program, provide the salary of pilot program

coordinators, and provide the training, resources and curriculum

materials for the pilot program. If other funds are available, the

Regents may provide additional support and resources to the pilot

program.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1692

B. The goal of the pilot program shall be to train higher

education faculty to teach multisensory structured reading education

for students with dyslexia to teacher candidates enrolled in the

elementary, early elementary and special education programs, to

demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of having trained

teachers who can provide early reading assistance programs for

children with risk factors for dyslexia and to evaluate whether the

early assistance programs can reduce future special education costs.

In addition the goal of the pilot program shall be to create a

replicable model which can be followed by other higher education

institutions.

C. The Regents and the pilot program contractor shall form an

advisory committee to design and plan for the implementation of the

pilot program.

D. The dyslexia teacher training pilot program shall provide to

higher education faculty at participating institutions training on

how to teach to teacher candidates the indicators of dyslexia and

the type of instruction that children with dyslexia need in order to

learn, read, write and spell, including multisensory structured

language programs. In addition the pilot program shall provide

instruction to teacher candidates enrolled in the elementary, early

childhood education or special education program at the institution

which is designed to train the teacher candidates on the indicators

of dyslexia and the type of instruction that children with dyslexia

need in order to learn, read, write and spell, including

multisensory structured language programs.

E. Contingent upon the availability of additional public or

private funding, the Regents may work with the pilot program

contractor to expand the pilot program to provide professional

development to teachers of kindergarten through fourth grade which

is designed to train teachers on the indicators of dyslexia and the

types of instruction that children with dyslexia need in order to

learn, read, write and spell, including multisensory structured

language programs.

F. The State Regents shall promulgate rules and establish

guidelines and procedures for the pilot program. The pilot program

shall be established for a minimum term of three (3) years.

G. The pilot program contractor shall report annually to the

State Regents about the operation and results of the pilot program.

Not later than June 30 of the third year in which the pilot program

is operating, the State Regents shall submit a report to the

Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President

Pro Tempore of the Senate containing an evaluation of the results of

the pilot program and legislative recommendations.

H. As used in this section, “dyslexia” means a specific

learning disorder that is neurological in origin and that is

characterized by unexpected difficulties with accurate or fluent

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1693

word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities not

consistent with the intelligence, motivation and sensory

capabilities of the person, which difficulties typically result from

a deficit in the phonological component of language.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3-115 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3-115
School facility improvement program - Allocations from
Status: in_force

appropriations.

C. Of the Eighteen Million Three Hundred Sixty-five Thousand

Four Hundred Two Dollars ($18,365,402.00) scheduled for expenditure

for Administrative and Support Functions of the State Department of

Education in Section 80, Chapter 204, O.S.L. 1987, from funds

appropriated to the Department in Sections 71, 72 and 74, Chapter

204, O.S.L. 1987, the sum of Sixty-two Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-

seven Dollars ($62,967.00) shall be expended for the school facility

improvement program provided in this section.

D. The State Board of Education shall expend the sum of One

Hundred Eighty-seven Thousand Thirty-three Dollars ($187,033.00)

from the State Public Common School Building Equalization Fund for

the school facility improvement program provided in this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-12-105 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-12-105
Rules and regulations
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall adopt and enforce such rules

and regulations as may be necessary to make such program of

audiovisual education effective.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-4423 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-4423
Redlands Community College - Carl Albert State College -
Status: in_force

Seminole State College - Rose State College - Oklahoma City

Community College.

A. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are hereby

authorized and directed to maintain two-year colleges at El Reno,

which shall be known as the Redlands Community College, at Poteau,

which shall be known as the Carl Albert State College, at Seminole,

which shall be known as the Seminole State College, at Midwest City,

which shall be known as the Rose State College, and in South

Oklahoma City, which shall be known as the Oklahoma City Community

College; and, each of said colleges shall be an integral and full-

fledged part of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

B. Each of the colleges which at the time it became a member of

the State System was operating a technical area school district

program to carry out the function of postsecondary technical

education for the people of the district shall continue to do so as

then operated and in accordance with Section 4410 of this title, and

all property acquired by virtue of the technical area school

district operation shall remain as property of the technical area

school district and be maintained in the custody of the Board of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1656

Regents of the college acting as the governing board of the

technical area school district for use by the postsecondary area

district program.

C. For each of the colleges above named and identified, there

shall be created a separate Board of Regents, and said Board of

Regents shall consist of seven (7) members to serve seven-year

overlapping terms, with members of said Board to be appointed by the

Governor by and with the advice and consent of the State Senate.

Each Board shall have the same powers and duties as the Board of

Regents of Tulsa Community College. Four members of the Board of

Regents for the colleges located at El Reno, Poteau and Seminole

shall be from the county in which said college is located. Four

members of the Board of Regents for Rose State College shall be

residents of the original district of the college. Four members of

the Board of Regents for Oklahoma City Community College shall be

residents of South Oklahoma City. For purposes of this section,

“South Oklahoma City” shall mean the original district of Oklahoma

City Community College and the portion of Oklahoma City that lies in

Cleveland County and is bounded on the west by County Line Road and

on the east by Bryant Avenue.

With respect to Rose State College and Oklahoma City Community

College, it is further provided that the college and its governing

Board of Regents shall continue to operate the technical area school

district program to carry out the function of postsecondary

technical education for the people of the technical education school

district as now operated, and in accordance with Section 4410 of

this title.Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 86
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-24-151 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-24-151
Coordination of spring break dates – Legislative
Status: in_force

intent.

A. It is the intent of the Legislature that the State

Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Director of the State

Department of Vocational and Technical Education, and the Chancellor

for Higher Education shall coordinate spring break dates for the

public schools, area vocational-technical schools, and institutions

within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education beginning with

the 2001-2002 school year.

B. Independent, elementary, and area vocational-technical

school districts and institutions within The Oklahoma State System

of Higher Education shall schedule spring break dates as determined

pursuant to subsection A of this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3-169 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3-169
Disclosure of mental health treatment of students -
Status: in_force

Accommodations plan.

A. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, prior to

enrollment the parent or legal guardian of a student may disclose to

the student's resident district, as determined by Section 1-113 of

Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, if the student has received

inpatient or emergency outpatient mental health services from a

mental health facility in the previous twenty-four (24) months. For

the purposes of this section, "mental health facility" shall have

the same meaning as Section 5-502 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma

Statutes.

B. If a disclosure provided for in subsection A of this section

occurs, designated school personnel, which may include members of

the individualized education program (IEP) team, shall meet with the

parent or legal guardian of the student and representatives of the

mental health facility prior to enrollment to determine whether the

student is in need of any accommodations including but not limited

to an IEP in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA) or a Section 504 Plan as defined by the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The meeting required by this section

may take place in person, via teleconference, or via

videoconference.

C. The disclosure and subsequent handling of personal health

information and related student education records pursuant to this

section shall comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy

Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and

Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

D. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to

implement the provisions of this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-5-146.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-5-146.1
School employees - Notification of suspected gang
Status: in_force

activity.

A. Any school employee, as defined by subsection A of Section

650.7 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, who has reason to

believe that a child under the age of eighteen (18) years is

involved in gang activity shall notify the person designated by the

school district. Upon receiving such report, the person designated

by the school district may report the matter to the nearest local

law enforcement agency. The report may be made by telephone, in

writing, personally or by any other method prescribed by the school

district.

B. A school district employee or contractor who, in good faith

and exercising due care in the making of a report pursuant to

subsection A of this section, shall be granted immunity from all

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 315

civil or criminal liability which might be incurred or imposed by

making such report.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-5-149.2 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-5-149.2
Handgun licenses for school personnel – Training -
Status: in_force

Immunity.

A. The board of education of a school district may, through a

majority vote of the board, designate school personnel who have been

issued a handgun license pursuant to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act

to attend an armed security guard training program, as provided for

in Section 1750.5 of Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or a reserve

peace officer certification program, as provided for in Section 3311

of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, provided and developed by the

Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET). Nothing

in this section shall be construed to prohibit or limit the board of

education of a school district from requiring ongoing education and

training.

B. Participation in either the armed security guard training

program or the reserve peace officer certification program shall be

voluntary and shall not in any way be considered a requirement for

continued employment with the school district. The board of

education of a school district shall have the final authority to

determine and designate the school personnel who will be authorized

to obtain and use an armed security guard license or reserve peace

officer certification in conjunction with their employment as school

personnel.

C. The board of education of a school district that authorizes

school personnel to participate in either the armed security guard

program or the reserve peace officer program may pay all necessary

training, meal and lodging expenses associated with the training.

D. When carrying a firearm pursuant to the provisions of this

act, the person shall at all times carry the firearm on his or her

person or the firearm shall be stored in a locked and secure

location.

E. Any school personnel who have successfully completed either

training and while acting in good faith shall be immune from civil

and criminal liability for any injury resulting from the carrying of

a handgun onto public school property as provided for in this act.

Any board of education of a school district or participating local

law enforcement agency shall be immune from civil and criminal

liability for any injury resulting from any act committed by school

personnel who are designated to carry a concealed handgun on public

school property pursuant to the provisions of this act.

F. In order to carry out the provisions of this section, the

board of education of a school district is authorized to enter into

a memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement entities.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3428 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3428
George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute – Transfer of title
Status: in_force

The title to all buildings, improvements, and real property, as

described in Section 3425 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

comprising the facility known as the George Nigh Rehabilitation

Institute in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, is hereby transferred from the

Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to the Board of Regents of

the University of Oklahoma.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-24-100.5 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-24-100.5
Safe School Committees – Model policy
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 916

A. Every year each public school site shall establish a Safe

School Committee to be composed of at least seven (7) members. The

Safe School Committee shall be composed of teachers, parents of

enrolled students, students, and a school official who participates

in the investigation of reports of bullying as required by

subsection A of Section 24-100.4 of this title. The Committee may

include administrators, school staff, school volunteers, community

representatives, and local law enforcement agencies. The Committee

shall assist the school board in promoting a positive school climate

through planning, implementing and evaluating effective prevention,

readiness and response strategies, including the policy required by

Section 24-100.4 of this title.

B. The Safe School Committee shall study and make

recommendations to the principal regarding:

1. Unsafe conditions, possible strategies for students, faculty

and staff to avoid physical and emotional harm at school, student

victimization, crime prevention, school violence, and other issues

which prohibit the maintenance of a safe school;

2. Student bullying as defined in Section 24-100.3 of this

title;

3. Professional development needs of faculty and staff to

recognize and implement methods to decrease student bullying;

4. Methods to encourage the involvement of the community and

students, the development of individual relationships between

students and school staff, and use of problem-solving teams and

resources that include counselors and other behavioral health and

suicide prevention resources within or outside the school system;

and

5. Professional development needs of faculty and staff to

recognize and report suspected human trafficking.

In its considerations, the Safe School Committee shall review

the district policy for the prevention of bullying and the list of

research-based programs appropriate for the prevention of bullying

of students at school compiled by the State Department of Education.

In addition, the Committee may review traditional and accepted

bullying prevention programs utilized by other states, state

agencies, or school districts.

C. The Safe School Committee may study and make recommendations

to the school district board of education regarding the development

of a rape or sexual assault response program that may be implemented

at the school site.

D. The State Department of Education shall:

1. Develop a model policy and deliver training materials to all

school districts on the components that should be included in a

school district policy for the prevention of bullying; and

2. Compile and distribute to each public school site,

prominently display on the State Department of Education website and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 917

annually publicize in print media a list of research-based programs

appropriate for the prevention of bullying of students. If a school

district implements a commercial bullying prevention program, it

shall use a program listed by the State Department of Education.

E. The provisions of this section shall not apply to technology

center schools.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.577 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.577
Director and faculty
Status: in_force

A. A public developmental research school shall be headed by a

director, selected by the president of the affiliated higher

education institution and employed by the affiliated higher

education institution. The director shall be the chief executive

officer of the district in which the developmental research school

is located. The director is not required to be a certified

administrator and may be selected from the staff of the college of

education of the affiliated higher education institution. The board

of education for the district in which the developmental research

school is located may reimburse the higher education institution for

part of the director's salary.

B. Except as provided in this section, classroom teachers

employed to teach in a public developmental research school shall be

certified teachers pursuant to Section 6-101 et seq. of Title 70 of

the Oklahoma Statutes. Higher education faculty employed by the

affiliated higher education institution who are not certified

teachers may serve simultaneously as instructional personnel for the

public developmental research school and the higher education

institution. No more than one-third of the teaching faculty of the

research school may be higher education faculty who are not

certified pursuant to Section 6-101 et seq. of Title 70 of the

Oklahoma Statutes.

C. Persons participating in the Alternative Placement Program

pursuant to Section 6-122.3 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes may

be employed as teachers in a public developmental research school.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-4017 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-4017
Boards of regents for educational institutions -
Status: in_force

Contractual arrangements with public trusts - Capital expenditures.

The boards of regents for educational institutions who are

members of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education are

authorized to enter into loan agreements, investment agreements or

other appropriate contractual arrangements, with any public trust

created pursuant to Section 176 et seq. of Title 60 of the Oklahoma

Statutes, which has the State of Oklahoma as its beneficiary. Said

agreements may be entered into for the purpose of obtaining funds

from such public trust to reimburse such educational institutions

for capital expenditures made by them, and such trusts are

authorized to provide such funds by issuing debt obligations

pursuant to the terms and in the manner provided for in the Public

Trust Laws, Section 176 et seq. of Title 60 of the Oklahoma

Statutes.

Capital expenditures are defined as those capital expenditures

allowed pursuant to Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of

1954, as amended, to be financed with tax-exempt bonds or notes. If

such loan agreement, investment agreement or other appropriate

contractual arrangement involves the repayment to such public trust

of funds provided for capital expenditure reimbursement, the boards

of regents of such educational institutions are authorized to

provide for the repayment with the income and revenues from any

existing revenue-producing buildings or facilities or from other

income and revenues legally available and permitted for such

purpose, including, but not limited to, the interest, income and

rentals derived from the Section Thirteen Fund and the New College

Fund, as provided for in Section 3904 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma

Statutes.

It is the legislative intent that such income and revenues can

be utilized by the boards of regents to the repayment, if necessary,

of reimbursed capital expenditure funds received from such public

trust. The boards of regents of such educational institutions are

authorized to enter into contractual agreements with such financial

institutions as may be necessary for such public trusts to issue the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1630

debt obligations contemplated herein. Said contractual agreements

shall include, but not be limited to, investment contracts pursuant

to which the State Treasurer is authorized to, and shall invest fund

balances of such educational institutions.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-10-106 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-10-106
Records of attendance of pupil - Report of absence
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the principal or head teacher of each

public, private or other school in the State of Oklahoma to keep a

full and complete record of the attendance of all children at such

school and to notify the attendance officer of the district in which

such school is located of the absence of such children from the

school together with the causes thereof, if known; and it shall be

the duty of any parent, guardian or other person having charge of

any child of compulsory attendance age to notify the child's teacher

concerning the cause of any absences of such child. It shall be the

duty of the principal or head teacher to notify the parent, guardian

or responsible person of the absence of the child for any part of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 521

the school day, unless the parent, guardian or other responsible

person notifies the principal or head teacher of such absence. Such

attendance officer and teacher shall be required to report to the

school health officer all absences on account of illness with such

information respecting the same as may be available by report or

investigation; and the attendance officer shall, if justified by the

circumstances, promptly give to the parent, guardian or custodian of

any child who has not complied with the provisions of this article

oral and documented or written warning to the last-known address of

such person that the attendance of such child is required at some

public, private or other school as herein provided. If within five

(5) days after the warning has been received, the parent, guardian

or custodian of such child does not comply with the provisions of

this article, then such attendance officer shall make complaint

against the parent, guardian or custodian of such child in a court

of competent jurisdiction for such violation, which violation shall

be a misdemeanor. If a child is absent without valid excuse four

(4) or more days or parts of days within a four-week period or is

absent without valid excuse for ten (10) or more days or parts of

days within a semester, the attendance officer shall notify the

parent, guardian or custodian of the child and immediately report

such absences to the district attorney in the county wherein the

school is located for juvenile proceedings pursuant to Title 10A of

the Oklahoma Statutes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-23-108 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-23-108
The Authority has power to condemn property
Status: in_force

Whenever a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon, or whenever

the owner is legally incapacitated, or is absent, unknown, or unable

to convey valid title, the Authority is hereby authorized and

empowered to acquire by condemnation proceedings in the same manner

as land is condemned for railroad purposes any land, property,

rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, or other property

deemed necessary or convenient for the construction or the efficient

operation of any facilities, or necessary in the restoration of

public or private property damaged or destroyed. No act or

obligation of the Authority shall impose any liability upon the

state or the Authority except such as may be paid from the funds

provided under the authority of the article.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-13-114.3 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-13-114.3
Oklahoma Special Education Assistance Fund -
Status: in_force

Defraying costs of serving children who resided at Hissom Memorial

Center - Funding other services - Determination of home district.

A. A local school district may be eligible to receive monies

from the Oklahoma Special Education Assistance Fund to defray costs

of serving children who resided at Hissom Memorial Center prior to

December 1, 1991, and subsequently established residency in the

school district if any such children were served by the district

during the 1991-92 school year including extended school year during

summer 1992 or the 1992-93 school year including extended school

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 621

year during summer 1993. Contingent upon available funds in the

Oklahoma Special Education Assistance Fund, the district shall

receive funds in the amount of the actual costs of serving each

child less the district per capita and any other funding received

for providing services to the child from another state agency upon

timely submission of a claim for such amount, accompanied by

verification of residency of each child by the school attendance

officer and verification from the Department of Human Services that

each child formerly resided at Hissom Memorial Center.

B. If funds remain in the Oklahoma Special Education Assistance

Fund after satisfaction of all valid claims submitted pursuant to

subsection A of this section, a local school district may be

eligible to receive monies from the Oklahoma Special Education

Assistance Fund if a child with disabilities who is being served in

that school district:

1. Has been placed in out-of-home placement in an entity

described in subsection D of Section 1-113 of this title;

2. Has been previously institutionalized; or

3. Requires services pursuant to an individualized education

program (IEP) pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA) which result in extraordinary costs to the

providing school district or district of residence. The State Board

of Education may promulgate rules to define extraordinary costs,

taking into consideration the funding generated by the weighted

calculations relating to students with special needs as provided in

paragraph 2 of subsection B of Section 18-201.1 of this title.

C. The State Department of Education may prorate any funds

allocated pursuant to the provisions of subsection B of this section

as necessary, and the State Board of Education is authorized to

promulgate rules as necessary to establish priorities in funding for

students in this subsection.who resided at Hissom Memorial Center - Funding other services - Determination of home district. ... 621
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-15-210 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-15-210
Collection of deficient payments from school districts
Status: in_force

A. If the Commissioners make payment from the fund on behalf of

a school district, the Commissioners shall withhold from any trust

fund apportionment payable to the school district until the amount

paid, plus interest, is repaid in full or the Commissioners may

proceed to collect the deficient payments plus interest and

reasonable attorney fees as provided by Section 365.5 of Title 62 of

the Oklahoma Statutes. Monies collected from said school district

for deficient payments shall be forwarded to the Commissioners

within thirty (30) days of collection. In the determination of

State Aid pursuant to Section 18-200 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma

Statutes the State Apportionment component of the Foundation Program

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 686

Income shall be determined as if the school district had received

all state apportionment funds withheld pursuant to this section.

B. The amount withheld shall be deposited to the credit of the

permanent school fund.

C. Immediately following any payments from the fund on behalf

of a school district pursuant to this section, the Commissioners

shall notify the State Treasurer of the payment for purposes of

taking any action as is required by Section 8 of this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-2206 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-2206
Deposit of income and revenues - Payment of principal and
Status: in_force

interest.

Except as to revenues paid directly to a trustee under the

provisions of subsection (e) of Section 3 hereof, all income and

revenues derived from the operation of the building shall be

deposited as collected in a fund to be applied solely to the payment

of the principal of and interest on the bonds and, to the extent so

provided in the resolution authorizing the bonds, to the payment of

the cost of maintaining and operating the building and the

establishment of reserves for such purpose. As principal and

interest become due from time to time the Treasurer shall, not less

than fifteen (15) days prior to the payment date, transmit to the

paying agent for the bonds money from said fund in an amount

sufficient to pay the principal or interest so falling due. Said

fund and the money therein is hereby irrevocably pledged to such

purposes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.190 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.190
Mandate to wear a mask or other medical device
Status: in_force

A. A board of education of a public school district or a

technology center school district may only implement a mandate to

wear a mask or any other medical device as provided in this

subsection.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1176

1. A board of education of a public school district or a

technology center school district may only implement a mandate to

wear a mask or any other medical device after consultation with the

local county health department or city-county health department

within the jurisdiction of where the board is located and when the

jurisdiction of where the board is located is under a current state

of emergency declared by the Governor.

2. The mandate shall explicitly list the purposes for the

mandate.

3. The mandate shall reference the specific masks or medical

devices that would meet the requirements of the mandate.

4. Any mandate to implement wearing a mask or any other medical

device shall be reconsidered at each regularly scheduled board

meeting.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.41 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.41
Motor vehicles - Lease or loan agreements - Training
Status: in_force

or maintenance programs.

Any person, company, corporation, partnership, copartnership,

trust or other business entity desiring to do so may enter into a

written lease or loan agreement with the board of education of any

technology center school or technology center school district

covering the lease or loan to such board of education of any motor

vehicle for use by such technology center school or technology

center school district in connection with any training or

maintenance or other similar educational program, or in

administering any such program, operated by or under the direction

of such board of education. Such written agreement shall specify

the monetary consideration therefor, if any; shall provide that

ownership of such motor vehicle shall remain in the person or

business entity so furnishing same to the board of education; shall

state the make, model, equipment attached, year of manufacture and

manufacturer's delivery price of said motor vehicle; and the

duration of the term of such lease or loan agreement. Such written

agreements shall provide that upon expiration of the term set out in

the agreement said motor vehicle shall be returned to the owner

thereof. Such agreements shall be executed by the board of

education, or an administrative officer in behalf thereof, and the

owner of such motor vehicle.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6005 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6005
Advance tuition payment contracts - Required provisions -
Status: in_force

Termination of rights of beneficiary.

A. The Trust, on behalf of itself and the state, may contract

with a purchaser for the advance payment of tuition by the purchaser

for a qualified beneficiary to attend any of the institutions of

higher education to which the qualified beneficiary is admitted,

without further fees to the qualified beneficiary. In addition, an

advance tuition payment contract shall set forth in a clear,

understandable manner all of the following:

1. The amount of the payment or payments required from the

purchaser on behalf of the qualified beneficiary;

2. The terms and conditions for making the payment, including,

but not limited to, the date or dates upon which the payment, or

portions of the payment, shall be due;

3. Provisions for late payment charges and for default;

4. The name and age of the qualified beneficiary under the

contract. The purchaser, with the approval of and on conditions

determined by the Trust, may subsequently substitute another person

for the qualified beneficiary originally named;

5. The number of credit hours covered by the contract, but the

credit hours shall not exceed the number of credit hours required

for the granting of a bachelor's degree in the applicable degree

program at any institution of higher education to which the

qualified beneficiary is admitted;

6. The name of the person entitled to terminate the contract,

which, as provided by the contract, may be the purchaser, the

qualified beneficiary, or a person acting on behalf of the purchaser

or qualified beneficiary, or any combination of these persons;

7. The terms and conditions under which the contract may be

terminated and the amount of the refund, if any, to which the person

terminating the contract, or the purchaser or designated qualified

beneficiary if the contract so provides, shall be entitled upon

termination;

8. The assumption of a contractual obligation by the Trust to

the qualified beneficiary on its own behalf and on behalf of the

state to provide for a specified number of credit hours of higher

education, not to exceed the number of credit hours required for the

granting of a bachelor's degree, at any institution of higher

education to which the qualified beneficiary is admitted. The

contract shall require that a named beneficiary who is not an

Oklahoma resident at the time the beneficiary is enrolled in a state

institution of higher education shall pay all applicable nonresident

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1685

tuition or fees imposed on nonresident students at the university or

college at which the beneficiary is enrolled;

9. The eligibility period;

10. That a qualified beneficiary may attend a community junior

college in this state before entering another institution of higher

education for the purpose of completing a bachelor's degree if the

beneficiary so chooses, and that the contract may be terminated

pursuant to the provisions of Section 9 of this act after completing

the requirements for a degree or certificate at the community junior

college in this state or before entering the other institution of

higher education;

11. All other rights and obligations of the purchaser and the

Trust; and

12. Other terms, conditions, and provisions as the Trust

considers in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate.

B. The Trust shall make any arrangements that are necessary or

appropriate with institutions of higher education in order to

fulfill its obligations under advance tuition payment contracts.

Arrangements may include, but need not be limited to, the payment by

the Trust of the then actual in-state tuition cost on behalf of a

qualified beneficiary to the institution of higher education.

C. An advance tuition payment contract may provide that, if

after a number of years specified in the contract the contract has

not been terminated or the qualified beneficiary's rights under the

contract have not been exercised, the Trust, after making a

reasonable effort to locate the purchaser and qualified beneficiary

or the agent of either, shall retain the amounts otherwise payable

and the rights of the qualified beneficiary, the purchaser or the

agent of either shall be considered terminated.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3316 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3316
Center for Women's Health - Establishment - Duties
Status: in_force

The Oklahoma State Legislature requests the Board of Regents of

the University of Oklahoma to establish a Center for Women's Health

within the College of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health

Sciences Center in Oklahoma City which would be responsible for

expanding the knowledge and understanding of women's health needs.

The Center for Women's Health should:

1. Utilize the interdisciplinary approach which combines all

areas of women's health care delivery in one location;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1514

2. Develop extramural resources to support and carry out the

highest quality clinical and basic research devoted to women's

health issues;

3. Identify and develop effective health practices for women;

4. Provide demonstration projects directly related to the field

of women's health; and

5. Disseminate information on women's health.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-2604 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-2604
Awards
Status: in_force

A. Subject to the availability of funds, an amount equivalent

to the nonguaranteed resident tuition for which an eligible Oklahoma

Higher Learning Access Program student is obligated at an

institution of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education shall

be awarded by allocation from the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Trust Fund.

B. Subject to the availability of funds, for each eligible

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program student enrolled at a

private institution of higher learning located within this state and

accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title, the Oklahoma

State Regents for Higher Education shall award from the Oklahoma

Higher Learning Access Trust Fund an amount equivalent to the amount

of resident tuition for which the student would be eligible if the

student were enrolled in a comparable program at a comparable

institution of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

Comparability shall be determined by the State Regents.

C. Subject to the availability of funds, an amount equivalent

to the tuition for any eligible Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program student enrolled in a public postsecondary vocational-

technical program or course for the purpose set forth in Section

2602 of this title shall be awarded by allocation from the Oklahoma

Higher Learning Access Trust Fund. Provided, such allocation shall

not exceed the amount a student would have received for comparable

enrollment at a two-year institution within The Oklahoma State

System of Higher Education.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1390

D. 1. An award allowed by this section shall not be allowed

for courses or other postsecondary units taken in excess of the

requirements for completion of a baccalaureate program or taken more

than five (5) years after the student's first semester of

postsecondary enrollment. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education may award the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program

benefits for courses of postsecondary units taken more than five (5)

years after the student's first semester of postsecondary enrollment

only in hardship circumstances; provided, however, no Oklahoma

Higher Learning Access Program participant may receive benefits

beyond a cumulative time period of five (5) years.

2. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may award

the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefits for a student's

first semester or other academic unit of postsecondary enrollment

taken more than three (3) years after the student graduates from

high school or completes an educational program equivalent to high

school graduation as authorized in subsection A of Section 2603 of

this title or after the student turns twenty-one (21) years of age

as authorized in subsection B of Section 2603 of this title if the

student is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the

Reserve Corps of the Armed Forces of the United States, or the

Oklahoma National Guard, and is ordered to active duty or active

duty for special work or training and due to the duty commitment the

student is unable to enroll prior to the end of the three-year

period or before the student reaches twenty-one (21) years of age.

The period shall be extended by the length of the term of duty.

3. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall

establish a maximum limit on the number of courses or other

postsecondary units to which Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program

benefits will apply.

E. Benefits awarded under the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program shall be awarded to all eligible applicants without any

limitation on the number of awards in any year other than the amount

of funds available for the program and the number of eligible

applicants. Subject to the provisions of subsection F of this

section, if funds are not sufficient to provide awards for all

eligible applicants, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

shall make awards on the basis of need. Provided, the Oklahoma

State Regents for Higher Education shall take into consideration

other grants and scholarships received by an eligible applicant when

making awards.

F. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may, at the

time an award is made on behalf of an Oklahoma Higher Learning

Access Program student, set aside in the Oklahoma Higher Learning

Access Trust Fund funds for the full commitment made to such Higher

Learning Access Program student. For all academic years, students

who have previously received awards under the provisions of the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1391

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act, Section 2601 et seq. of this

title, and who have continued at all times to fulfill the

requirements for eligibility to receive awards provided pursuant to

this program shall be given an absolute priority for continued

financial support by the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program

superior to any students who are applying for such benefits for the

first time.

G. Beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year, an award allowed

by this section shall not include an amount for payment of remedial

noncredit-earning courses taken by an eligible Oklahoma Higher

Learning Access Program student.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.541 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.541
Student performance level - Accountability system
Status: in_force

A. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability

shall determine and adopt a series of student performance levels and

the corresponding cut scores pursuant to the Oklahoma School Testing

Program Act.

B. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability

shall have the authority to set cut scores using any method which

the State Board of Education was authorized to use in setting cut

scores prior to July 1, 2013.

C. The performance levels shall be set by a method that

indicates students are ready for the next grade, course, or level of

education, as applicable. The Commission for Educational Quality

and Accountability shall establish panels to review and revise the

performance level descriptors for each subject and grade level. The

Commission shall ensure that the assessments developed and

administered by the State Board of Education pursuant to the

Oklahoma School Testing Program Act in grades three through eight

and at the secondary level are vertically aligned by content across

grade levels to ensure consistency, continuity, alignment and

clarity. The Commission shall adopt performance levels that are

labeled and defined as follows:

1. Advanced, which shall indicate that students demonstrate

superior performance on challenging subject matter;

2. Proficient, which shall indicate that students demonstrate

mastery over challenging grade-level subject matter, can analyze and

apply such knowledge to real-world situations, that students are

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1256

ready for the next grade, course, or level of education and that

students are on track to be ready for college or career;

3. Basic, which shall indicate that students demonstrate

partial mastery of the essential knowledge and skills that are

foundational for proficient work at their grade level or course and

that students are not on track to be ready for college or career;

and

4. Below basic, which shall indicate that students have not

performed at least at the basic level.

D. The State Board of Education shall develop and implement in

accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

(ESEA), as reauthorized and amended by P.L. No. 114-95, also known

as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), an accountability system

as provided for in 20 U.S.C., 6311 and any related federal

regulations. The accountability system shall be implemented

beginning with the 2002-2003 school year and shall be based on the

data as established pursuant to Section 1210.545 of this title and

as modified to meet the mandates of the ESEA. For the 2002-2003

school year and every year thereafter the State Board of Education

shall publish and ensure that each local education agency is

provided with data annually by site so that the local education

agency can make determinations to identify schools for rewards, and

supports and interventions. The State Board of Education shall

establish a system of recognition, rewards, interventions and

technical assistance, as required by state law and the Elementary

and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) as reauthorized and

amended by P.L. No. 114-95, also known as the Every Student Succeeds

Act (ESSA).

E. A school that is identified as in need of improvement by the

State Board of Education pursuant to this section, because of

failure to meet either an academic performance target or an

attendance or graduation performance target, or both, and is

identified as in need of improvement pursuant to the Elementary and

Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as reauthorized and amended

by P.L. No. 114-95, also known as the Every Student Succeeds Act

(ESSA), shall utilize the assistance of a school support team or

other similar team formed by the State Department of Education to

provide support for schools in need of improvement, subject to

school support team capacity. The school support team shall review

and analyze all facets of operation of the school including the

design and operation of the instructional program. The school

support team shall assist the school in:

1. Incorporating strategies based on scientifically based

research that will strengthen the core academic subjects in the

school and address the specific academic issues that caused the

school to be identified for school improvement;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1257

2. Incorporating strategies to promote high quality

professional development; and

3. Training teachers to analyze classroom and school-level data

and use the data to inform instruction.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-24-152 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-24-152
Veterans Day and Celebrate Freedom Week in public
Status: in_force

schools - Instruction on Declaration of Independence and U.S.

Constitution.

A. In order to educate students about the sacrifices made for

freedom on behalf of this country and the values on which this

country was founded, the date of November 11 is hereby designated

"Veterans Day", and the week in which November 11 falls is hereby

designated “Celebrate Freedom Week” in and for the public schools of

this state. In any year in which the date of November 11 is a

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 945

Saturday or Sunday or classes are not in regular session, the public

schools of this state shall observe the previous school day as

"Veterans Day" as provided for in this section. For purposes of

this subsection, Sunday shall be considered the first day of the

week.

B. The board of education of each public school district shall

ensure that each school in its district will on Veterans Day conduct

and observe an appropriate program of at least one class period

remembering and honoring American veterans. In addition, schools

may choose, if scheduling allows, to have a one-minute moment of

silence beginning at 11:00 a.m. on November 11 of each year. The

benefit of such activity, in addition to honoring American veterans,

is to serve to educate students about the termination of World War I

at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918, which was first recognized by

United States President Woodrow Wilson on the first anniversary of

the truce in a proclamation eulogizing fallen Allied soldiers and

referring to November 11 as Armistice Day.

C. By December 31, 2007, the State Board of Education shall

adopt rules which require each public school district in the state

to include, as a part of a social studies class, during Celebrate

Freedom Week or during another full school week as determined by the

board of education, grade-appropriate instruction concerning the

intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence

and the United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in

their historical contexts. The religious references in the writings

of the founding fathers shall not be censored. The rules shall

require appropriate grade level study of the Declaration of

Independence to include the study of the relationship of the ideas

expressed in that document to subsequent American history, including

the relationship of its ideas to the rich diversity of our people as

a nation of immigrants, the American Revolution, the formulation of

the United States Constitution, and the abolitionist movement, which

led to the Emancipation Proclamation, the women's suffrage movement,

and the civil rights movement and the passage of civil rights

legislation.

D. The rules adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant

to subsection C of this section shall establish different levels of

content and rigor of the subject matter required to be covered

during Celebrate Freedom Week that is appropriate for the different

grade levels and that meet state and national standards.

E. The rules adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant

to subsection C of this section shall also provide that during

Celebrate Freedom Week or another week of instruction selected by

the board of education, students in grades three through twelve

study and recite the text quoted below:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are

created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 946

unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the

pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are

instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of

the governed."

F. Students may be excused from the recitation of the text set

forth in subsection D of this section, if:

1. The parent or guardian of the student submits to the school

district a written request that the student be excused;

2. As determined by the school district, the student has a

conscientious objection to the recitation; or

3. The student is the child of a representative of a foreign

government to whom the United States government extends diplomatic

immunity.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-628.2 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-628.2
Study of income received for revolving funds
Status: in_force

The State Regents should make a thorough study of the income

received for the revolving fund of each institution and other budget

agency to determine that all educational budget income, as defined

by the law creating the revolving fund, the State Budget Law, and

the manual of the National Committee on Standard Reports, is being

collected and deposited by each institution into the revolving fund

of the State Treasury as provided by law; but, in keeping with the

definition of "revolving fund" recommended in the Second Annual

Report of the Oklahoma Commission on Education, income from gifts,

research grants and contracts which is deposited for the revolving

fund of any institution shall not be considered by the Oklahoma

State Regents for Higher Education in determining the allocation of

state appropriated funds to each institution.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1-115 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1-115
Public school system – Administration
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 108

The public school system in Oklahoma shall be administered by

the State Department of Education, State Superintendent of Public

Instruction, boards of education of school districts, and

superintendents of school districts.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-4313 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-4313
Liability insurance for employees of various institutions
Status: in_force

- Payment of premiums.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the Oklahoma State

Regents for Higher Education shall recognize the need for and the

various boards of regents in the Oklahoma State System of Higher

Education be and are hereby authorized to provide liability

insurance to indemnify employees of institutions and members of

boards of regents in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education

while performing their official duties, provided such liability

shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and provided

further that boards of regents may in their discretion pay the

premium for such insurance from regular operating budget funds of

the State System.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-18-107.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-18-107.1
Determining financial support to school districts
Status: in_force

through State Aid Formula - Property included in assessed valuation.

Except as provided for in subsection D of Section 18-200 of this

title, for the purpose of determining the financial support to

school districts through the State Aid Formula, the assessed

valuation of a school district shall include the total valuation of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 814

property exempt from taxation by virtue of Section 6B of Article X

of the Oklahoma Constitution as approved for reimbursement by the

Oklahoma Tax Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 193 of

Title 62 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-23-114 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-23-114
Monies received are trust funds
Status: in_force

All monies received pursuant to the authority of this article,

whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds or other revenues, shall

be deemed to be trust funds, to be held and applied solely as

provided in this article. The resolution authorizing the bonds of

any issue or the trust agreement securing such bonds shall provide

that any officer to whom, or any bank or trust company to which,

such monies shall be paid shall act as trustee of such monies and

shall hold and apply the same for the purposes hereof, subject to

such regulations as this article and such resolution or trust

agreement may provide.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.508F — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-1210.508F
Reading competencies for special education teachers
Status: in_force

— Training requirements.

A. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability

shall ensure that the reading competencies for elementary teachers

are included in the competencies for special education teachers.

B. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability in

collaboration with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

shall ensure that all teachers and adjuncts of early childhood

education, elementary education, and special education are provided

quality training in intervention, instruction, and remediation

strategies in the science of reading to provide explicit and

systematic instruction in phonological awareness, decoding, fluency,

vocabulary, and comprehension and implement reading strategies that

research has shown to be successful in improving reading among

students with reading difficulties. In addition, quality education

for prospective teachers shall be provided in research-based

instructional strategies for instruction, assessment, and

intervention for literacy development for all students including

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1242

advanced readers, typically developing readers, and struggling

readers who are coping with a range of challenges including, but not

limited to, English learners and learners with handicapping

conditions and learning disabilities, including dyslexia. Quality

training shall include guidance from professional resources such as

the Report of the National Reading Panel, Response to Intervention

guidelines, and professional organizations such as the Council for

Exceptional Children, International Dyslexia Association,

International Literacy Association, National Council of Teachers of

English, and National Association for the Education of Young

Children.

C. All institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher

Education that offer elementary, early childhood education, or

special education programs approved by the Commission for

Educational Quality and Accountability shall incorporate into those

programs the requirement that teacher candidates study the five

elements of reading instruction which are phonological awareness,

decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Teacher

candidates shall study strategies including, but not limited to,

instruction that is explicitly taught, sequenced, multimodal

(reading, writing, speaking, listening, hands-on, etc.),

multidisciplinary, and reflective to adapt for individual learners.

D. Effective July 1, 2025, any person seeking initial

certification in a special education, early childhood education, or

elementary education program in this state shall be required to

successfully complete a comprehensive reading instruction assessment

approved by the Commission for Educational Quality and

Accountability as a condition for certification. The assessment

shall evaluate the certification applicant’s knowledge and

understanding of the five elements of reading instruction which are

phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and

comprehension.

E. Candidates applying for adjunct positions, an alternative

placement teaching certificate, or an emergency teaching certificate

in elementary education shall complete instruction in the science of

reading as determined by the Commission for Educational Quality and

Accountability and the State Board of Education.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-35f — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-35f
Payment of salary to teachers and other school employees injured by assault - Legal action
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 34

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 35injured by assault - Legal action for reimbursement - Sick leave or

personal leave - Workers' compensation.

A. Any public school teacher, school administrator or other

school personnel employee, who is unable to continue his or her

contract of employment as a result of injury sustained in the

reasonable performance of his or her duties from:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 982

1. Assault by a pupil, relative of a pupil or person of the

pupil's household, or

2. Injury sustained as a result of quelling or attempting to

quell or stop a fight, disorder or any disturbance related to a

school function or activity, shall be paid his or her full contract

salary for the remainder of that school year or contract year or

period, whichever is applicable, or for such period of time thereof

as he or she is prevented from teaching or working as a result of

the injuries sustained or job loss caused by such injuries during

said school year or contract year or period for which he or she had

been employed and during which he or she was injured not to exceed

in any event the term of the contract; and directing that such

school district paying the balance of the contract payments, may

file suit against such person or persons or their guardian or

guardians for reimbursement of payments so made.

B. Employees of the public schools of this state who suffer

job-related injuries, other than those enumerated in subsection A of

this section, which qualify for temporary total disability benefits

under the Workers' Compensation Act, Section 1 et seq. of Title 85

of the Oklahoma Statutes, may utilize accumulated sick leave or

personal leave on a prorated basis as follows:

At the option of the employee, temporary total disability

benefits shall be supplemented by any sick leave or personal leave,

or fractional use thereof, available to the injured employee, to the

extent that the injured employee shall receive full wages during the

employee's temporary absence. The sum of all temporary total

disability payments and any sick leave or personal leave shall in no

case combine to exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the employee's

net pay as it existed prior to injury.

C. Nothing in the provisions of this section shall effect the

right of the employee or the employer pursuant to the Workers'

Compensation Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-24-121 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-24-121
Safety belts for school bus drivers
Status: in_force

No vehicle shall be used by any school district within this

state for the transportation of school children unless such vehicle

be equipped with a safety belt or safety harness for the use of the

driver of such vehicle. Such seat belt and safety harness shall

conform to such standards as may be prescribed by 49 C.F.R., Part

571, and the Board shall furnish a copy of such standards to the

board of education of each school district. The driver of every

vehicle used by a school district for the transportation of school

children shall make use of such seat belts while in operation of the

vehicle, and failure to do so shall be deemed to constitute a

misdemeanor, and upon conviction therefor such driver shall be

punished by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor

more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-17-105.2 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-17-105.2
Partial lump-sum payment and reduced annuity
Status: in_force

A. A member who is eligible to retire with at least thirty (30)

years of creditable service may elect to receive a partial lump-sum

payment on the date of retirement and a reduced annuity. The

partial lump-sum payment shall be an amount equal to the unreduced

retirement benefit, which shall be referred to as the “Maximum

Retirement Allowance” for purposes of this section, which would have

been paid over a period of twelve (12), twenty-four (24) or thirty-

six (36) months, had the lump-sum option not been elected. Once the

payout amount is elected, a reduced Maximum Retirement Allowance is

then calculated using factors adopted by the Board of Trustees based

upon the System’s actuarial expected rate of return and the member’s

age at retirement and the payout option (twelve (12), twenty-four

(24), or thirty-six (36) months) elected. This reduced Maximum

Retirement Allowance shall also be reduced in accordance with any

retirement options the member has elected pursuant to Section 17-105

of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

B. The partial lump-sum payment, pursuant to this section,

shall be paid in a check separate from the regular monthly

retirement benefit. The total amount of the partial lump-sum

payment shall be deducted from the member’s account balance

consisting of the employee contributions plus interest for purposes

of determining unused contributions remaining in the account. The

member may elect to rollover the taxable portion of the partial

lump-sum payment to an eligible retirement plan or individual

retirement account (IRA). The nontaxable portion of the partial

lump-sum payment can be rolled over to an IRA or another qualified

retirement plan as allowed by the Internal Revenue Code and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 736

regulations. This partial lump-sum payment shall be subject to

federal income tax in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code

Section 72 and other such Internal Revenue Code sections and

regulations as may be applicable. This partial lump-sum benefit is

subject to the same restrictions for assignment and attachment as

all other retirement benefits. The appropriate portion of the

partial lump-sum distribution will be reported to the Internal

Revenue Service (IRS) as taxable income and appropriate tax

withholdings will be withheld unless the member elects to make a

direct rollover of the taxable portion of the funds. Should the

member have after-tax contributions, a portion of such after-tax

contributions will be allocated to the partial lump-sum payment and

to the remaining annuity on a prorata basis.

C. The partial lump-sum option under this section may be

elected only once by a member and may not be elected by a retiree.

D. The board of trustees shall promulgate any rules necessary

for the implementation of this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3970.9 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3970.9
Balance to be treated as asset of parent - Exceptions
Status: in_force

A. Any student loan program, student grant program, or other

financial assistance program established or administered by this

state shall treat the balance in an account of which the student is

a designated beneficiary as if it were an asset of the parent of the

designated beneficiary and not as a scholarship or grant or as an

asset of the student for determining a student's or parent's income,

assets or financial need.

B. Subsection A of this section applies to any financial

assistance program administered by a state-supported college or

university.

C. Subsections A and B of this section shall not apply if any

of the following conditions exist:

1. Federal law requires all or a portion of the amount in an

account to be considered in a different manner;

2. Federal benefits could be lost if all or a portion of the

amount in an account is not considered in a different manner; or

3. A specific grant establishing a financial assistance program

requires that all or a portion of the amount in an account be

considered as an asset of the student.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-4420.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-4420.1
College technology center school districts
Status: in_force

A. Any county contiguous with a county that is entirely

included in a college technology center school district, upon

adoption of a resolution by the board of regents of any institution

of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education whose main campus

is located within such contiguous county, shall become a college

technology center school district and be governed by the members of

said board of regents, sitting as a board of education. The laws

applicable to technology center school districts, including laws

authorizing submission of tax levies pursuant to Section 9B of

Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution which may be in addition to

established levies of districts overlapping with said district, and

the laws pertaining to expenditure of funds and eligibility for

participation in federal funds, shall be applicable to such

district. Not more than five (5) mills on the dollar valuation of

the taxable property in the district may be voted on and thereafter

be levied pursuant to subsection A of Section 9B of Article X of the

Oklahoma Constitution. Not more than five (5) mills on the dollar

valuation of the taxable property in the district may be voted on

and thereafter be levied pursuant to subsection B of Section 9B of

Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution. Funds received pursuant to

ad valorem levies shall not be used for state purposes but shall be

used for postsecondary vocational and/or technical and adult

education purposes in the district.

B. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall not

take the ad valorem tax revenue of the district into consideration

when allocating state-appropriated funds to the institution.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6-102.7 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6-102.7
Renumbered as § 6-101.2 of this title by Laws 1989, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 116, operative
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 111st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 116, operative July 1, 1990.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-23-107 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-23-107
Powers continued
Status: in_force

The Authority is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by

purchase, whenever it shall deem such purchase expedient, any land,

property, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, or other

interests in lands as it may deem necessary or convenient for the

construction, maintenance, and operation of the facilities upon such

terms and at such price as may be considered by it to be reasonable

and can be agreed upon between the Authority and the owner thereof,

and to take title thereto in the name of the Authority.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-6-122.7 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-6-122.7
Issuance of one-year provisional certificates to teach
Status: in_force

in the area of mild-moderate or severe-profound disabilities or

comprehensive special education.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, the State

Board of Education shall issue a one-year provisional certificate to

teach in the area of mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound

disabilities or comprehensive special education to any qualified

candidate who has:

1. Earned a bachelor's level college degree from an accredited

institution of higher education;

2. Been recommended for a certificate by a school district

board of education or an accredited institution of higher education;

3. Satisfactorily completed a one-hundred-fifty-clock-hour

special education program prescribed by the Board; and

4. On file with the Board a national criminal history record

check as required pursuant to Section 5-142 of this title. The

individual applying for a provisional certificate shall be

responsible for the cost of the national criminal history record

check.

B. The one-year provisional certificate issued pursuant to this

section may be renewed for two (2) additional periods of one-year

each upon proof from an accredited institution of higher education

that the individual has successfully completed at least six (6)

credit hours of prescribed coursework during the previous year in a

nontraditional route to certification program in either mild-

moderate or severe-profound disabilities or toward a master's degree

in special education.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Board

of Education shall issue a standard certificate in the area of mild-

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 391

moderate disabilities, severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive

special education to any individual who has:

1. Been issued one or more provisional certificates pursuant to

this section;

2. Successfully completed the prescribed coursework of a

nontraditional route to certification program in either mild-

moderate or severe-profound disabilities or a master's degree in

special education from an accredited institution of higher education

within three (3) years of issuance of the original provisional

certificate and any examinations required to obtain a standard

certificate in mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound

disabilities or comprehensive special education;

3. Successfully completed the appropriate subject area

competency examination as required pursuant to Section 6-187 of this

title; and

4. Submitted an application and payment of the required

certification fee.

D. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual

who holds a current provisional certificate pursuant to subsection A

or B of this section or a current standard certificate pursuant to

subsection C of this section may satisfy the highly qualified

teacher requirement for early childhood education or elementary

education by successful completion of the early childhood education

or elementary education examinations.

E. To obtain standard certification in early childhood

education or elementary education, an individual shall complete an

appropriate teacher education program approved by the Oklahoma

Commission for Teacher Preparation.

F. Nothing in this section shall change the requirements an

individual is required to satisfy to be considered highly qualified

in a secondary core academic area.

G. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement

the provisions of this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3-132.2 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3-132.2
Powers and responsibilities of Board — Accreditation
Status: in_force

and compliance — Conversion schools — Supplemental online courses.

A. Beginning July 1, 2024, and subject to the requirements of

the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, the Statewide Charter School Board

shall:

1. Provide supervision, services, and oversight of the

operations of statewide virtual charter schools in this state and

charter schools for which the Statewide Charter School Board is the

sponsor, recommend legislation pertaining to charter schools to the

Legislature, and promulgate rules and policies that the Board deems

necessary to accomplish the purposes prescribed in this section;

2. Ensure compliance with state laws and training requirements

for all charter schools, virtual charter schools, and sponsors;

3. Establish a procedure for accepting, approving, and

disapproving charter school and statewide virtual charter school

applications and a process for renewal or revocation of approved

charter contracts which meet the procedures set forth in the

Oklahoma Charter Schools Act;

4. Hire an Executive Director and other staff for its

operation;

5. Prepare a budget for expenditures necessary for the proper

maintenance of the Board and accomplishment of its purpose;

6. Comply with the requirements of the Oklahoma Open Meeting

Act and Oklahoma Open Records Act; and

7. Give priority to opening charter schools and virtual charter

schools that serve at-risk student populations or students from low-

performing traditional public schools.

B. The State Board of Education shall be responsible for

accreditation of charter schools and virtual charter schools and

ensure compliance with special education laws and federal laws and

programs administered by the State Board of Education.

C. 1. For purposes of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act,

“charter school” means:

a. prior to July 1, 2024, a public school established by

contract with a school district board of education, a

technology center school district, a higher education

institution, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or

the State Board of Education, and

b. on July 1, 2024, and after, a public school

established by contract with a school district board

of education, a higher education institution, an

institution of higher learning accredited pursuant to

Section 4103 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, a

federally recognized Indian tribe, or the Statewide

Charter School Board,

to provide learning that will improve student achievement and as

defined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 188

reauthorized by P.L. No. 114-95, also known as the Every Student

Succeeds Act.

2. A charter school may consist of a new school site, new

school sites, or all or any portion of an existing school site. An

entire school district may not become a charter school site.

D. 1. For the purposes of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act,

“conversion school” means a school created by converting all or any

part of a traditional public school in order to access any or all

flexibilities afforded to a charter school; provided, however, all

or any part of a traditional public school shall not be converted to

a virtual charter school.

2. Prior to the board of education of a school district

converting all or any part of a traditional public school to a

conversion school, the board shall prepare a conversion plan. The

conversion plan shall include documentation that demonstrates and

complies with paragraphs 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,

19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 34, and 35 of subsection B of Section 3-134

of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The conversion plan and all

documents shall be in writing and shall be available to the public

pursuant to the requirements of the Oklahoma Open Records Act. All

votes by the board of education of a school district to approve a

conversion plan shall be held in an open public session. If the

board of education of a school district votes to approve a

conversion plan, the board shall notify the State Board of Education

within sixty (60) days after the vote. The notification shall

include a copy of the minutes for the board meeting at which the

conversion plan was approved.

3. A conversion school shall comply with all the same

accountability measures as are required of a charter school as

defined in subsection C of this section. The provisions of Sections

3-140 and 3-142 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall not apply

to a conversion school. Conversion schools shall comply with the

same laws and State Board of Education rules relating to student

enrollment which apply to traditional public schools. Conversion

schools shall be funded by the board of education of the school

district as a school site within the school district and funding

shall not be affected by the conversion of the school.

4. The board of education of a school district may vote to

revert a conversion school back to a traditional public school at

any time; provided, the change shall only occur during a break

between school years.

5. Unless otherwise provided for in this subsection, a

conversion school shall retain the characteristics of a traditional

public school.

E. 1. Beginning July 1, 2024, the Statewide Charter School

Board shall make publicly available a list of supplemental online

courses which have been reviewed and certified by the Board to

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 189

ensure that the courses are high-quality options and are aligned

with the subject matter standards adopted by the State Board of

Education pursuant to Section 11-103.6 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma

Statutes. The Statewide Charter School Board shall give special

emphasis on listing supplemental online courses in science,

technology, engineering, and math (STEM), foreign language, and

advanced placement courses. School districts shall not be limited

to selecting supplemental online courses that have been reviewed and

certified by the Statewide Charter School Board and listed as

provided for in this paragraph.

2. In conjunction with the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services, the Board shall negotiate and enter into contracts with

supplemental online course providers to offer a state rate price to

school districts for supplemental online courses that have been

reviewed and certified by the Statewide Charter School Board and

listed as provided for in this subsection.
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3507.1 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-3507.1
Alternate name - Regional University System of
Status: in_force

Oklahoma.

A. The Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges created by Article

XIII-B of the Oklahoma Constitution shall also be known as, and may

perform official acts and transact official business in the name of,

the Regional University System of Oklahoma.

B. Whenever the name of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma

Colleges appears in any law, contract, or other document, it shall

be deemed to refer to the Regional University System of Oklahoma.

C. The name change prescribed in subsection A of this section

shall not affect in any manner whatsoever any legal relationships,

bonds, contracts, supervisory authority by the Board of Regents of

Oklahoma Colleges, title to property, obligations, or any other

phase or aspect of the legal status of the Board for any purpose,

except that the Board shall be referred to as the "Regional

University System of Oklahoma" in all future references to the

Board.

D. It is the intent of the Legislature that supplies, including

but not limited to existing letterhead shall be utilized after the

effective date of this section until such supplies are depleted.

Any new supplies ordered for use after the effective date of this

section shall bear the name "Regional University System of

Oklahoma".
Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-12-102 — OK Code / Title 70 / Section 70-12-102
Motion picture films - State depository
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall have authority to select or

cause to be selected motion picture films appropriate to the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 602

curriculum of the public schools of Oklahoma, and shall establish

and maintain a state depository where all such films shall be kept

for assignment. Certain special films may be designated by the

State Board of Education to be circulated from the state depository

to various schools.