Bill > SB707

This bill modifies the Oklahoma school accreditation process by shifting the focus from individual schools to school districts and changing the frequency and conditions of evaluations. The State Board of Education will now adopt accreditation standards for school districts rather than individual schools, with standards that include provisions for identifying deficiencies, warnings, probation, and potential loss of accreditation. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, school district evaluations will occur once every four years, instead of more frequently. Districts will still be subject to annual evaluations for specific purposes like funding, health and safety, certification requirements, and school board governance. If a school district receives one or more deficiencies on its accreditation report, it will be evaluated annually until it demonstrates improvement by receiving no deficiencies for two consecutive years. The bill also clarifies that if a school district fails to receive or loses accreditation, the State Board of Education can close the district and reassign students to accredited districts or annex the district to other districts. The bill includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon passage, with full implementation set for July 1, 2025.

Education

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb707&Session=2600