Schools; program of character education; Teaching Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Virtue, and Excellence (THRIVE) Act; requiring the State Department of Education to develop a character traits and personal skills education curriculum; effective date; emergency.
Impact
If enacted, the THRIVE Act will amend existing statutes regarding character education in schools, establishing a more prescriptive guideline for what values can be taught. The law will require school districts to adopt these guidelines and provide a process for both student participation and opt-out options for parents and guardians. Additionally, the State Department is mandated to report on school compliance annually. This oversight aims to ensure that the character education curriculum is uniformly applied across the state.
Summary
House Bill 3241, known as the Teaching Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Virtue, and Excellence (THRIVE) Act, aims to implement a standardized program of character education within Oklahoma's public and charter schools. The bill requires the State Department of Education to develop a curriculum focusing on specific character traits and personal skills that align with traditional American values. This educational initiative is intended to instill positive character traits in students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade, emphasizing attributes such as trustworthiness, responsibility, and respect for authority.
Contention
Discussions surrounding HB 3241 have highlighted notable points of contention, particularly concerning the constraints it places on educational content. Critics argue that by prohibiting schools from introducing additional character traits beyond those specified in the bill, the legislation limits flexibility and may not address the diverse needs of students in varying school contexts. Proponents, on the other hand, believe that a unified approach will better prepare students for character-driven citizenship and personal responsibility.
Education; alternative education programs; charter schools and virtual charter schools; full-time virtual or blended instruction; effective date; emergency.
Alternative education; directing the statewide system of alternative education to include designated charter schools and virtual charter schools. Effective date. Emergency.
Schools; curriculum; subject matter standards; State Department of Education; curriculum resources; atrocities of communism; teaching requirements; professional learning opportunities; definitions; effective date.
Education funding; creating the Oklahoma Independent Education Act; requiring development of plan to phase out acceptance and use of certain federal funds. Effective date. Emergency.