OSDE's December Draft Administrative Rules for Your Review

The State Department of Education has released draft administrative rules regarding 4-day school week exemptions, new processes to determine chronic absenteeism and changes regarding bus driver requirements. All proposed rules are open for public comment until December 16th. To participate in public comments on any or all of the following rules changes send an email to rules@sde.ok.gov. If you have any questions, we are happy to answer questions. Feel free to email our policy director, Jacque Walsh, at jacque.walsh@opsrc.net.

Chapter 10.  School Administration and Instructional Services
Subchapter 1.  General Provisions
210:10-1-4.  Length of term [AMENDED]

These are the requirements for a 4 day school week exemption. You can read it here.

Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, any district that elects to have an hours-based school calendar must provide classroom instruction for a minimum of 165 days per year unless an exemption is granted by the State Board of Education. The district can elect to seek an exemption for fewer than 165 days for one more sites. Exemptions can be requested as soon as student performance is available but no later than June 30th. The Board has 60 days to respond to the request.

Schools PK-8 must demonstrate student growth in both language arts and math above the state average on the most recently administered state tests and cannot have a Support and Improvement designation. Schools 9-12 must demonstrate a 4-year cohort graduation rate equal to or greater than 82%, must be exceeding testing achievement targets, and cannot have a Support and Improvement designation. Schools must submit a narrative along with a budget identifying cost savings.

Chapter 10.  School Administration and Instructional Services
Subchapter 13.  Student Assessment and School Accountability
210:10-13-25.  Determination of the chronic absenteeism indicator [NEW]

You can read the text of the rule change here.

Districts can create a policy to provide for exemptions from the chronic absenteeism indicator for students with significant medical conditions upon review from a medical exemption review committee formed by the district.

Chapter 30.  School Facilities and Transportation
Subchapter 5.  Transportation
210:30-5-8.  School bus driver certification [AMENDED]

You can read the text of the rule change here.

School bus drivers with a valid CDL from another state are eligible to apply for the Oklahoma school bus driver certification. The rule also allows physicians licensed in other states and VA physicians to sign required health certificates.