A. Except as otherwise provided for in subsection B of this section and elsewhere in this section, to be eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and to qualify for an award which includes payment of an amount equivalent to resident tuition or other tuition pursuant to Section 2604 of this title for the first semester or other academic unit of postsecondary enrollment, a student shall:
1. Be a resident of this state or be enrolled in a school district located in this state that serves students who reside in both this state and an adjacent state pursuant to a contract as authorized in Section 5-117.1 of this title;
2. Be a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States. A student who is not a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and to qualify for an award notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3242 of this title. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any student who was enrolled in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program prior to the end of the 2006-2007 school year;
3. Have a record of satisfactory compliance with agreements executed pursuant to Section 2605 of this title;
4.a.have graduated within the previous three (3) years from a high school accredited by the State Board of Education, or the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale for all work attempted in grades nine through twelve,
5. Have completed the curricular requirements for admission to an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and one additional unit or set of competencies in a course that meets college admission requirements. The curriculum requirements shall include two units or sets of competencies in foreign or non-English language or technology courses that meet the college admission requirements and one unit or set of competencies of a fine arts course. Students shall also have attained a 2.5 grade point average in the core curriculum courses. Students who attended a high school which did not offer all the core curriculum courses or students who were educated by other means and were not offered all the core curriculum courses shall be allowed to satisfy this curriculum requirement by participating in a program approved by the State Regents for remediation of high school curricular deficiencies;
6. Have satisfied admission standards as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for first-time-entering students for the appropriate type of institution, or, if attending a private institution, have satisfied admission standards as determined by the private institution. No student participating in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program shall be admitted into an institution of higher education by special admission standards;
7. Have secured admission to, and enrolled in, an institution which is a member of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a postsecondary vocational-technical program offered by a technology center school that meets the requirements to be eligible for federal student financial aid, or a private institution of higher learning located within this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title; and
8.a.have established financial need according to the provisions of subsection D of Section 2605 of this title and standards and provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education,
B. 1. A student shall be eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and to qualify for an award which includes payment of an amount equivalent to resident tuition or other tuition pursuant to Section 2604 of this title for the first semester or other academic unit of postsecondary enrollment if the student meets all of the following criteria:
2. A student who is eligible to participate in the program pursuant to this subsection shall not be required to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in subsection A of this section.
C. To retain eligibility while pursuing the program of higher learning in which enrolled, the student shall:
1. Meet the requirements for retention and degree completion as established by the institution in which the student is enrolled;
2. Maintain good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress according to standards of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education;
3. Maintain satisfactory academic progress as required for eligibility for federal Title IV student financial aid programs. The provisions of this paragraph shall become effective for the 2012-2013 school year;
4. Comply with the standards related to maintenance of eligibility as promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; and
5. Refrain from conduct that leads to expulsion or suspension of more than one semester from an institution of higher education. A student who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall permanently lose eligibility for program benefits. The provisions of this paragraph shall become effective January 1, 2008.
D. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education shall promulgate rules relating to maintenance of eligibility under the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act by a student.
E. It is the intent of the Legislature that students in the ninth grade for the 1992-93 school year who are determined to be eligible Oklahoma Higher Learning Access students pursuant to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act shall be the first students eligible for benefits from the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust Fund.
F. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are authorized to study, develop and propose criteria for determining award eligibility based upon the completion of seven semesters of high school coursework by a student.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 353, § 3, eff. July 1, 1992. Amended by Laws 1994, c. 153, § 2, emerg. eff. May 3, 1994; Laws 1995, c. 322, § 29, eff. July 1, 1995; Laws 1996, c. 119, § 1, eff. July 1, 1996; Laws 1999, c. 190, § 1; Laws 2000, c. 232, § 13, eff. July 1, 2000; Laws 2001, c. 33, § 144, eff. July 1, 2001; Laws 2002, c. 293, § 1, emerg. eff. May 22, 2002; Laws 2007, c. 355, § 6, emerg. eff. June 4, 2007; Laws 2008, c. 3, § 41, emerg. eff. Feb. 28, 2008; Laws 2008, c. 409, § 1, emerg. eff. June 3, 2008; Laws 2009, c. 2, § 32, emerg. eff. March 12, 2009; Laws 2011, c. 94, § 1; Laws 2011, c. 351, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; Laws 2012, c. 11, § 24, emerg. eff. April 4, 2012; Laws 2017, c. 289, § 2, eff. July 1, 2017.
NOTE: Laws 2007, c. 262, § 1 repealed by Laws 2008, c. 3, § 42, emerg. eff. Feb. 28, 2008. Laws 2008, c. 350, § 2 repealed by Laws 2009, c. 2, § 33, emerg. eff. March 12, 2009. Laws 2011, c. 288, § 1 repealed by Laws 2012, c. 11, § 25, emerg. eff. April 4, 2012.
Structure Oklahoma Statutes
§70-1-101. Oklahoma School Code.
§70-1-103. Act to be liberally construed.
§70-1-104. Act not to repeal or modify tax laws unless specifically provided.
§70-1-106. Public schools - Definition - What included.
§70-1-107. Educational services - Enumeration.
§70-1-107.1. Technology - Generally defined for educational and governmental purposes.
§70-1-108. School district - Definition.
§70-1-109.1. Optional Extended School Year Program.
§70-1-111. School day - Six hours - Exceptions.
§70-1-112. School taught on Saturday.
§70-1-113. School district residency.
§70-1-114.1. Foreign exchange students - Guidelines for acceptance.
§70-1-114.2. Operation as grantee of a federal Head Start program - Calculation of state aid.
§70-1-115. Public school system – Administration.
§70-1-116. Positions in school system - Definitions.
§70-1-116.1. Teaching principal - Amount of time in classroom.
§70-1-116.2. Application of medicine or sunscreen to students - Vaccinations.
§70-1-117. General fund - Capital and noncapital expenditures.
§70-1-118. Building and operations fund - Definition.
§70-1-118.1. Building fund – Technology center school districts.
§70-1-119. Sinking fund - Definition.
§70-1-121. Conflicting provisions.
§70-1-122. Contributions to Public School Classroom Support Revolving Fund – Tax forms.
§70-1-123. Public School Classroom Support Revolving Fund.
§70-1-124. Per-pupil expenditure defined - Expenditure categories.
§70-1-125. Restrooms in public schools.
§70-2-113. Campaign committee organization statements.
§70-2-114. School district political committee organization statements.
§70-2-115. Contributions and expenditures reports.
§70-2-116. Organization statements and contribution and expenditure reports - Public records.
§70-2-117. Financial interest statements.
§70-2-118. Financial interest statements - Public records.
§70-3-101. State Board of Education - Members - Travel expenses.
§70-3-104. State Board of Education - Powers and duties.
§70-3-104.3. Requirements for compliance with quality standards - Loss or denial of accreditation.
§70-3-104.4. Standards for accreditation.
§70-3-104.7. Day treatment programs - Standards for on-site educational services.
§70-3-104.8. Contracts with educators.
§70-3-104.9. Report listing wage, salary, benefit, job class changes.
§70-3-104.10. Oklahoma Imagination Library Program.
§70-3-104.11. Imagination Library Revolving Fund.
§70-3-106. Office - Books pertaining to office - Salary of Superintendent.
§70-3-107. Administrative and executive duties.
§70-3-107.1. State Superintendent of Public Instruction – Powers and duties.
§70-3-109. Curriculum Materials Revolving Fund.
§70-3-110.1. Allocation of funds for adult education.
§70-3-115. School facility improvement program - Allocations from appropriations.
§70-3-116.1. Educational Accountability Reform Act - Short title.
§70-3-116.2. Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability.
§70-3-116.3. Technical corrections - References in statutes.
§70-3-116.4. Transfer of authority.
§70-3-116.5. Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability – Report on educational system.
§70-3-116.6. Pilot program for mentor teacher training.
§70-3-117. Office of Educational Quality and Accountability.
§70-3-117.1. Short title - School Finance Review Commission Act.
§70-3-117.2. School Finance Review Commission – Creation.
§70-3-117.3. School Finance Review Commission – Duties.
§70-3-118. Secretary of Education - Powers, duties and responsibilities.
§70-3-118.1. Budget and operations performance reviews.
§70-3-119. Allocation of funds for school lunch programs.
§70-3-120. Board approval of programs using state funds.
§70-3-121. Apportionment of certain administrative and support function funds.
§70-3-122. Funding for education of children with visual impairments.
§70-3-123. Allocation of funds for Oklahoma Education 2000 Challenge.
§70-3-123.1. Review of legislative provisions for duplication or conflict in mandates.
§70-3-127. Approval by State Board of Education.
§70-3-129.3. Public school, zone, or district empowerment plan.
§70-3-129.4. Empowerment plan considerations.
§70-3-129.5. Acceptance of gifts, grants, and donations.
§70-3-129.6. Submitting approved empowerment plan to the State Board of Education.
§70-3-129.7. Waiving statutes or rules.
§70-3-129.8. Waiver of provisions in collective bargaining agreement.
§70-3-129.9. Performance review.
§70-3-129.11. School District Empowerment Program.
§70-3-134. Applications – Presubmission training – Contents - Procedures.
§70-3-135. Sponsor to contract with governing board – Contents of contract.
§70-3-136. Rules and standards to be incorporated into charter.
§70-3-137. Duration of contract--Performance report--Renewal--Termination--School closure.
§70-3-138. Reprisal against school employee seeking to establish charter school.
§70-3-139. Status of teacher returning to public school from charter school.
§70-3-140. Student eligibility – Districts – Preferences - Discrimination.
§70-3-142. Funding - Charter School Closure Reimbursement Revolving Fund.
§70-3-144. Charter Schools Incentive Fund.
§70-3-145.1. Statewide Virtual Charter School Board.
§70-3-145.2. Meetings - Reimbursement.
§70-3-145.3. Powers and duties.
§70-3-145.4. Authority to promulgate rules.
§70-3-145.5. Students outside the district - Succession to contractual rights.
§70-3-145.6. Full time virtual education site - Performance data of nonresidents.
§70-3-145.7. Statewide Virtual Charter School Board Revolving Fund.
§70-3-145.8. Records of attendance – Orientation - Truancy.
§70-3-151.1. Adjusted cohort graduation rate - Academic performance index.
§70-3-151.2. Graduation rate growth targets - Failing schools.
§70-3-153. Reporting of plans to State Board - Exemptions.
§70-3-154. Review of plans by regional accreditation officer.
§70-3-155. Study and assessment of information and reports – Collection techniques.
§70-3-156. Local school district assessment – Report submission.
§70-3-162. Enrollment - Collection of information regarding participation in certain programs.
§70-3-167. Exemption from participation in advisory council or committee.
§70-3-168. Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013.
§70-3-169. Disclosure of mental health treatment of students - Accommodations plan.
§70-3-171. Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education Act.
§70-3-173. Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education.
§70-4-101. Abolition of office of county superintendent of schools.
§70-4-104. School district boundaries - Duties of county clerk.
§70-4-201. Transfer and preservation of records - Additional salaries.
§70-5-101. School districts - Designation.
§70-5-102. Independent school districts.
§70-5-103. Elementary school districts.
§70-5-103.1. Elementary school districts - Prohibition on certain grades.
§70-5-104. Designation of district retained on records - When.
§70-5-105. School district - Body corporate - Powers.
§70-5-106. Governing body of school district.
§70-5-106A. Employment contracts with more than one school district.
§70-5-107A. Boards of education of school districts - Membership - Election procedure.
§70-5-107B. Expansion of a board of education - Chair and other positions.
§70-5-110.1. Board members - Continuing education requirement.
§70-5-113. Relation by affinity or consanguinity - Prohibition.
§70-5-115. Local treasurer - Surety bond - Duties - Cash and investment ledgers.
§70-5-116a. Superintendent and officers – Employment requirement – Surety bonds.
§70-5-117.1. Cooperative contracts.
§70-5-117.2. Additional authorization.
§70-5-117.3. Average daily attendance.
§70-5-117.4. School improvement plan.
§70-5-117.5. Employee health insurance plans.
§70-5-117.6. Regulation of dogs running at large.
§70-5-117b. Interlocal cooperative agreements.
§70-5-119. Officers of board - Encumbrance clerk and minute clerk - Bond.
§70-5-120. President - Duties.
§70-5-121. Vice president - Duties.
§70-5-123. Noncontract expenditures – Limitations.
§70-5-124. Board contracts prohibited - Exceptions.
§70-5-125. Liability for voting for false claim.
§70-5-126. Refusal, failure or neglect of board - Elector may institute action.
§70-5-127.1. Release of audit to public.
§70-5-128. Annual statistical and financial reports.
§70-5-128.2. Electronic transmission of reports, plans or grants.
§70-5-129.1. Funds exempted from provisions of Section 5-129 of this title.
§70-5-129.3. Short title - Patriotic Access to Students in Schools Act (PASS Act).
§70-5-130. School buildings and property - Permission to use for other purposes.
§70-5-131. Educational courses - Buildings and equipment.
§70-5-131.1. Sewage disposal systems.
§70-5-131.2. Energy conservation contracts.
§70-5-132.1. Certain persons 21 years of age or older may be allowed to complete high school.
§70-5-133. Apportionment of taxes each year.
§70-5-134. Estimates - Emergency and building levies - Elections.
§70-5-135. System of accounting.
§70-5-135.4. School District Transparency Act.
§70-5-136.1. Certificates of indebtedness – Curing of delinquencies by withholding of State Aid.
§70-5-137. School nurses - Increments.
§70-5-138. School employees and superintendent - Residence.
§70-5-140. Additional salary or wages in lieu of insurance or similar benefits.
§70-5-141.2. Incentive pay plans.
§70-5-141.4. Incentive pay plan - Student and school growth in achievement.
§70-5-142. National criminal history record check - Employment with a school.
§70-5-146.1. School employees - Notification of suspected gang activity.
§70-5-149. School safety drills.
§70-5-149.1. Civil actions against former students – Costs and attorney fees.
§70-5-149.2. Handgun licenses for school personnel – Training - Immunity.
§70-5-149.3. Designated lactation rooms.
§70-5-152. Applicability optional.
§70-5-154. Approval of budget - Estimates of revenues and expenditures.
§70-5-156. Protests - Right to examine filed budget.
§70-5-157. Expenditures in excess of appropriation - Deficits and surpluses - Violations of law.
§70-5-159. Classification of revenues and expenditures.
§70-5-160. Interaccount and interfund transfers.
§70-5-161. Amendment of budget.
§70-5-170. Transfer of unexpended or unencumbered appropriations.
§70-5-181. Registration of certificates of indebtedness or bonds – Recording of payment.
§70-5-185. When check or warrant due – Enforcement of liability.
§70-5-187. Unencumbered balances – Date for submission of all claims – Notice.
§70-5-189. Second or duplicate check or warrant – Stop payment or affidavit.
§70-5-190. School district treasurer, encumbrance clerk - Training - Continuing education.
§70-6-101. Teachers - Contract.
§70-6-101.2. Consultant services - Contracts with retired administrators - Contract requirements.
§70-6-101.6. Categories of employment contracts.
§70-6-101.6a. Employment contracts - Status of applicant's children.
§70-6-101.6b. Prohibiting disciplinary action against teachers for reporting violations of law.
§70-6-101.8. Restrictions on attorneys involved in due process hearings.
§70-6-101.11. Copy of evaluation to person evaluated - Disclosure at hearings - Confidentiality.
§70-6-101.13. Full-time certified administrators - Dismissal or nonreemployment - Due process.
§70-6-101.14. Administrators - Suspension.
§70-6-101.15. Administrators - Conviction of felony - Criminal sexual activity or sexual misconduct.
§70-6-101.16. Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System.
§70-6-101.20. Teacher Due Process Act of 1990 - Short title.
§70-6-101.21. Standards of performance and conduct for teachers.
§70-6-101.22. Grounds for dismissal or nonreemployment.
§70-6-101.23. Application of act - Exemptions.
§70-6-101.25. Recommendation of dismissal or not to reemploy to be in writing - Basis or grounds.
§70-6-101.26. Mailing or delivery of recommendation to teacher - Teacher hearing.
§70-6-101.28. Applicable procedure.
§70-6-101.29. Immediate suspension - Compensation and benefits - Hearing for dismissal.
§70-6-101.31. Determining retention or reassignment of teachers and administrators.
§70-6-101.32. Implementation of rules.
§70-6-101.40. Suspension, demotion, termination or nonreemployment for cause of support employee.
§70-6-101.42. Wage increase for 2018-19 school year.
§70-6-101.43. Adoption and publication of disciplinary policy for support personnel - Copies.
§70-6-101.44. Adoption of policy prerequisite to disciplinary action.
§70-6-101.45. Reasonable assurance of employment.
§70-6-101.46. Procedure for disciplinary action.
§70-6-104.1. Exhaustion of sick and extended leave - Credit for leave without pay.
§70-6-104.5. Exhausted sick leave - Unused sick leave upon termination.
§70-6-104.6. Leave sharing programs and banks.
§70-6-104.7. National disaster leave.
§70-6-105A. Construction of agreements
§70-6-106. Salary - Twelve monthly payments.
§70-6-106.1. Distribution of Mentor Teacher Stipend funds.
§70-6-106.3. Support employee schedule of payments.
§70-6-108. Certificate of qualifications - Unlawful to teach without.
§70-6-108.1. Expired license or certificate notice - Renewal applications.
§70-6-110. Agents of school authorities - Payment or acceptance of bribes.
§70-6-111. Gratuities or rewards - Unlawful to give.
§70-6-112. Teachers - Gratuities or rewards in connection with employment.
§70-6-113.1. Materials on effective classroom discipline techniques to be furnished.
§70-6-115. Information concerning student - Violation.
§70-6-122.3. See the following versions:
§70-6-122.4. License for Teach for America Program participant - Exemption from residency program.
§70-6-122.5. Alternative Placement teaching certificate - Troops to Teachers.
§70-6-122.6. Temporary teaching certificate.
§70-6-122.11. Issuance of one-year alternative teacher certificate.
§70-6-127A. Public school paraprofessionals.
§70-6-129.1. Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee.
§70-6-130. Minority Teacher Recruitment Center.
§70-6-131. Teacher recruitment programs.
§70-6-132. Oklahoma Teacher Recruitment Revolving Fund.
§70-6-133. Pilot program for new pathways to teacher certification.
§70-6-149.1. Short title - School Protection Act.
§70-6-149.4. False accusations of criminal activity against education employees - Penalties.
§70-6-149.5. Awarding of costs and attorney fees – Expert witness fees.
§70-6-149.6. Insurance indemnification not a waiver of defenses.
§70-6-149.8. Benefits not lost by leaves of absence due to assault or battery.
§70-6-149.9. Act does not limit other laws.
§70-6-154.1. Renewal of Standard Teaching Certificate.
§70-6-181. Legislative declaration - Interpretation of act.
§70-6-185. Competencies and methods to be incorporated into teacher preparation system.
§70-6-186. Criteria for approval and accreditation of teacher education programs.
§70-6-187. See the following versions:
§70-6-187A. Competency examinations - Refund.
§70-6-187B. Teaching Certification Scholarship Program
§70-6-187C. Teaching Certification Scholarship Revolving Fund
§70-6-187D. Promulgation of rules
§70-6-187v1. Competency examinations.
§70-6-187v2. See the following versions:
§70-6-189. Certification system.
§70-6-189.2. School psychologist or psychometrist - Certification.
§70-6-190. Qualifications for teacher employment and certification.
§70-6-190.1. Extension of provisional speech-language certificates.
§70-6-190.2. Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund.
§70-6-192. Professional development - Legislative intent.
§70-6-193. Funding for professional development programs.
§70-6-194. District professional development programs.
§70-6-194.2. Scholarships for attending Great Expectations Summer Institutes for Teachers.
§70-6-195.2. Mathematics professional development programs.
§70-6-196. Review of contracts with professional development centers.
§70-6-197. Persons subject to certification procedures.
§70-6-200. Professional development institutes.
§70-6-204.2. Education Leadership Oklahoma program.
§70-6-204.3. Education Leadership Oklahoma Revolving Fund.
§70-6-204.4. Oklahoma National Board Certification Revolving Fund.
§70-6-204.5. Professional Development Institutes Revolving Fund.
§70-6-207. Oklahoma Mathematics Improvement Program.
§70-6-210. Inner City Schools Rescue program.
§70-6-211. Educator supply-and-demand study.
§70-6-212. Micro-credential program .
§70-7-101. Boundaries - Petition or resolution to change - Election.
§70-7-103. Annexation or disorganization - Assumption of bonded indebtedness.
§70-7-104. Division of property - Debts and obligations.
§70-7-106. Buildings - Rented, moved, or sold.
§70-7-107. Disposition of property.
§70-7-108. Federally owned reservations - Annexations.
§70-7-202. Application of act.
§70-7-203. School Consolidation Assistance Fund.
§70-7-204. Preference for allocations from funds.
§70-7-205. Exceptions to certification requirements - Priority for placement assistance services.
§70-8-101.2. Transfer of student from residential school district.
§70-8-103. Application for transfer - Procedure.
§70-8-103.1. See the following versions:
§70-8-103.2. Extramural athletic competition for transfer student not residing in district.
§70-8-106. School dispensed with - Transfer of pupils - Annexation.
§70-8-113. Transfer to district where parent or legal guardian is employed.
§70-9-101. Transportation provided.
§70-9-101.1. Inspection of transportation equipment - Official inspector.
§70-9-103. Purchase or contract for use of vehicles - Lettering.
§70-9-104. Transportation equipment - Definitions - Construction and maintenance - Colors - Penalty.
§70-9-106. Insurance to pay damages - Actions against school district.
§70-9-108. Additional transportation - Expenses.
§70-9-109. Price list and description of transportation equipment.
§70-9-110. Special Transportation Revolving Fund.
§70-9-112. Lease of equipment.
§70-9-113. Rental value of equipment.
§70-9-114. Sale of units of equipment after lease for one year.
§70-9-116. Space for storage of equipment.
§70-9-117. Expense - Paid from what funds.
§70-9-118. Operation instruction for bus drivers.
§70-9-119. Cameras for School Bus Stops Revolving Fund.
§70-10-101. Attendance officer - Assistants.
§70-10-102.1. Police as attendance officers.
§70-10-103.1. Legal average daily attendance.
§70-10-103.2. Student information referral procedure.
§70-10-104. State Treasurer and Secretary of School Land Department - Report.
§70-10-105. Neglect or refusal to compel child to attend school - Exceptions - Enforcement.