Education; alternative education programs; charter schools and virtual charter schools; full-time virtual or blended instruction; effective date; emergency.

HB 1288 requires Oklahoma school districts serving grades 7-12 to implement alternative education programs for at-risk students, including specific program elements like smaller class sizes, individualized instruction, life skills training, and arts education partnerships. The bill expands eligibility to include charter and virtual charter schools designated by the State Department of Education as offering alternative education, subjecting them to performance frameworks and attendance policies. It changes funding to base allocations on average daily membership (ADM) from the prior year, with up to 15% of funds incentivizing cooperative agreements between districts (capped at $6,000 per district annually). The State Board of Education gains new responsibilities for training, program evaluation, and reporting on these alternative education programs.