OK SB1044

State Board of Education must develop recommendations for high school diploma requirements in consultation with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, State Board of Career and Technology Education, and Oklahoma Department of Commerce, with a report due by March 1, 2017 and final requirements adopted by May 1, 2017

Requires designation of a college readiness assessment used by higher education institutions as a high school exit exam, replacing the previous end-of-instruction criterion-referenced tests as the method for demonstrating mastery of academic standards

Separates state control of subject matter standards and student assessments, clarifying that standards shall be "solely approved and controlled" by the State Board while assessments shall be "solely approved" by the Board

Students must still demonstrate mastery in Algebra I, English II, and two of five additional subjects (Algebra II, Biology I, English III, Geometry, United States History), but through requirements adopted by the Board rather than specific proficiency scores on end-of-instruction tests

Maintains alternative pathways to graduation including ACT, SAT, AP exams, and other approved assessments, as well as accommodations and exceptions for students with individualized education programs under IDEA