Bill > HB1466

This bill modifies the Oklahoma school accreditation standards by adding new provisions for how the State Board of Education handles school districts that fail to meet accreditation requirements. Specifically, the bill introduces a formal process for addressing deficiencies in school accreditation, requiring the State Department of Education to investigate complaints within 30 days and report recommended actions to the State Board of Education within 90 days. Critically, the bill now mandates that before changing a school district's accreditation status from a warning to probation, or from probation to non-accredited, the school district must be given an opportunity to request a hearing. The State Board must send notice of the right to a hearing within 10 working days, and the hearing will be conducted by the Board itself. If a school district fails to request a hearing within 10 working days, they forfeit their right to challenge the accreditation change. The bill also requires the State Board of Education to create rules about these notice and hearing procedures, and maintains existing provisions about potentially closing schools that lose accreditation and reassigning students. The bill is set to become effective on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause indicating its immediate importance for public safety and education.