HB 2919 would allow Oklahoma public schools to offer "Life Skills" as an elective course for students in grades 6-12, subject to available funding. The course would cover practical topics like cooking, job application skills, financial literacy, mental health basics, and career pathways (e.g., trade schools or college). Schools could teach it through existing Family and Consumer Science courses or other applicable classes, without requiring special teacher certification, and could deliver it in person, online, or hybrid. The bill mandates alignment with workforce readiness standards and takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1159 allows Oklahoma students to transfer between schools within their district year-round, provided the receiving school's grade level has available space. It establishes specific preferences for transfers, including siblings of transferring students, children of district employees, students changing residence within the district, and those in foster care. School districts must publicly post capacity limits for transfers and prioritize students based on these preferences when space is limited. The bill requires districts to set and report these capacity limits annually, ensuring transparency in the transfer process.
HB 1946 prohibits Oklahoma school districts from offering teaching contracts shorter than one school year to certified teachers, except when a teacher is hired after the school year has begun. This applies to all standard teaching positions requiring state certification, ensuring minimum annual employment terms. The law prevents districts from using short-term contracts to avoid long-term obligations, requiring contracts to cover the full school year unless hired mid-year. Exceptions only apply if a teacher is hired after the school year starts, in which case the contract extends to the end of that school year.
HB 1538, the "Student Retention Protocol Act of 2025," requires Oklahoma schools to offer specific screenings and assessments to students identified as "at risk of being retained" (those below academic thresholds for advancing grades). It mandates hearing and vision screenings, family assessments, and, with parental consent, psychiatric, occupational, or physical therapy evaluations to address potential learning barriers before retention decisions. Schools may provide these services using qualified personnel or contracted professionals, but all provisions depend on available funding. The bill directly affects at-risk students, their families (who must approve psychiatric evaluations), and school districts, aiming to prevent retention through targeted support rather than changing retention policies themselves. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.
HB 1094 requires Oklahoma public schools to teach about the "atrocities of communism" to students in grades six through twelve starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The State Department of Education must develop grade-appropriate curriculum resources and integrate this content into existing courses, covering causes, human costs, societal impacts, and comparisons with U.S. constitutional principles. Teachers must receive professional development on this topic, with "communism" defined to include historical regimes like the Soviet Union and Cambodia. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
