Bill No. 1096, introduced by Hasenbeck and Pugh, amends Oklahoma's education law to enhance student testing and professional development for educators. Key changes include the replacement of the ACT with the broader category of "nationally norm-referenced college entrance exams," and the introduction of the Classical Learning Test (CLT) as an option for students, which must be taken at a physical testing center. The bill also modifies the qualifications for the Oklahoma State Regents' Academic Scholars Program and includes CLT scores in the eligibility criteria for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. Additionally, it emphasizes data-driven approaches in professional development, requiring committees to analyze student data to identify needs and set goals for improving academic performance.

The bill mandates the State Board of Education to conduct annual studies on the reliability and validity of statewide assessments, ensuring timely reporting of results to school districts and disaggregating assessment results by demographic factors, with exceptions for small populations. It also allows for the inclusion of SAT and CLT scores in high school remediation course requirements. Furthermore, the bill updates the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program to accommodate children of military personnel killed in action, allowing them to bypass certain eligibility requirements. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 70-2603
House Committee Substitute: 70-2603
Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill: 70-2603
Floor (House): 70-2603
Floor (Senate): 70-2603
Engrossed: 70-2603