All Roll Calls
Yes: 386 • No: 36
OklahomaHB 3021Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Schools; curriculum requirements for graduation; diploma pathway; State Department of Education; notice; seminar; English requirements financial literacy; alternate diploma; course availability; waiver; coursework; repealers; effective date; emergency.
Sponsored By: Dick Lowe (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Alternate diploma for students with disabilities
Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who take OAAP can earn a standards‑based alternate diploma starting in 2023–24. They may earn it in the school year they turn 22. Required units include four English, three (or four for the 2025–26 8th‑grade cohort) math, three science (life, physical, earth), three social studies, one arts, one computer or world language, at least two career readiness, and at least two life skills. Courses that fit a student’s academic plan may count, with local approvals. Getting an alternate diploma does not end a student’s right to special education unless they reach the maximum age; the IEP team plans next steps.
Competency-based promotion and graduation
The State Board sets a system to promote students based on reaching set competency levels in core subjects. The Board also provides a graduation path based on passing required competency tests under state law. Meeting those competency levels can take the place of the usual total course credits.
District must offer courses or pay costs
Districts must offer enough courses so students can meet graduation rules and Oklahoma’s Promise coursework. High schools must run at least six class periods (or a block equivalent) to fit rigorous classes, concurrent enrollment, apprenticeships, and vocational training. If a district did not offer enough courses and a student uses concurrent enrollment to meet graduation needs, the district pays resident tuition, fees, books, and transportation for that class at a state college.
More paths to earn high school credit
A year‑long, full‑time three‑hour CTE program that leads to an industry credential or college credit can count as one math unit. Contextual math or a STEM block in grades 10–12 can satisfy math or science if taught by a certified teacher and approved by the state and district. Advanced STEM courses count for graduation credit, and finishing the IB Diploma earns a standard state diploma. World and Indigenous North American languages can meet the language unit. Tenth graders may attend tech centers up to half a day for approved career programs and earn credit with certified teachers. Math taken before 9th grade can count if taught by a teacher authorized for high school credit. The CTE agency can ask State Regents to approve CTE courses for college admission.
Civics test and history waiver rules
Starting with ninth graders in 2021–22, students must pass the U.S. naturalization test with a score of at least 60 out of 100 to graduate. Schools offer it at least once a year, allow retakes, and may offer it in 8th grade. Students tested through OAAP are exempt. Districts must waive the Oklahoma history class for military children who transfer in and already finished a similar history class or a half‑unit in another state. A district may also accept a district‑approved project or paper (no AI assistance) to show the needed history or U.S. Government skills.
New high school credits and timelines
Beginning with 8th graders in 2025–26, students must earn at least 23 units for a standard diploma: 4 English; 4 math (Algebra I and Algebra II or Geometry); 3 lab science; 3 social studies; 6 pathway units; 0.5 personal finance; 3 electives; and at least 2 college‑admission units. For students who were in grades 8–12 in 2024–25, the law sets core unit rules: 4 Language Arts; 3 Math; 3 Science; 3 Social Studies; 1 Arts; 0.5 finance; and 1 Computer Education or World Language. In 2024–25, students may opt into the 23‑unit pathway early with parent approval. Students from the 2024–25 cohort may enroll in the core curriculum with written parent approval and a meeting for minors. The older pathway ends after the 2029–30 school year for students who did not start it; the state provides a standard parent approval form to use.
Personal finance class required to graduate
High school students must complete one‑half unit in Personal Financial Literacy to graduate. You take it in grade 10, 11, or 12. The district or a partner technology center must offer it and a certified secondary teacher must teach it. An AP course can meet the 0.5 unit if it substantially covers the required topics. Students must also complete the Passport to Financial Literacy requirements.
Job endorsements catalog for graduates
The Workforce Commission and State Education Department will publish a catalog linking employers’ entry‑level jobs to high school coursework and credentials by region and demand. The first catalog is due by the start of the 2027–28 school year and updates every two years. Districts distribute it so students can match classes to in‑demand jobs.
Alternate diplomas count in grad rates
The law counts the alternate diploma for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities as a standard diploma. The state includes these diplomas in each high school’s adjusted cohort graduation rate. This can raise a school’s reported graduation rate. It changes school accountability only and does not change student services, rights, or payments.
Tighter course approval, transparency, and standards
The state defines key terms and updates subject standards: English includes classic and nonfiction works; math stresses standard algorithms and Euclidean geometry; civics covers U.S. documents; health covers key wellness topics. The State Board keeps course rigor high and the Department works with districts to review local courses. Districts must, by July 1 each year, identify local math/science application courses; submit Nonstandard Course Waivers by March 1 for new or changed courses; and receive state feedback within 30 days. The state posts local course frameworks online and reports enrollment data. Three education boards must send a joint rigor plan with waiver counts and graduation rates by January 1, 2027. The law repeals Section 11‑103.6, and the new framework governs course rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Dick Lowe
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Adam Pugh
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/14/2026
FOURTH READING
Yes: 40 • No: 7
House vote • 5/7/2026
FOURTH READING
Yes: 90 • No: 3
Senate vote • 5/5/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/5/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 48 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/21/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/21/2026
Committee vote: Education
Yes: 8 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/21/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 2
House vote • 3/25/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 82 • No: 8
House vote • 3/25/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 82 • No: 8
House vote • 3/4/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 8 • No: 1
House vote • 3/4/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 8 • No: 1
House vote • 2/18/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 10 • No: 1
House vote • 2/18/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 10 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/19/2026
5/14/2026HouseSent to Governor
5/14/2026HouseEnrolled measure signed, returned to House
5/14/2026SenateEnrolled, signed, to Senate
5/14/2026HouseReferred for enrollment
5/14/2026HouseMeasure and Emergency passed, to House: Ayes: 40 Nays: 7
5/14/2026SenateCCR adopted
5/14/2026SenateCCR read
5/14/2026SenateTo Senate
5/7/2026HouseFourth Reading, Measure and Emergency Passed: Ayes: 90 Nays: 3
5/7/2026HouseCCR adopted
5/7/2026HouseCCR submitted
5/6/2026HouseConference granted, SCs named Pugh, Paxton, Daniels, Haste, Kirt
5/6/2026SenateSA's rejected, conference requested, naming Special Conference Committee on HB 3021
5/6/2026HouseSA's received
5/6/2026HouseEngrossed to House
5/6/2026SenateReferred for engrossment
5/5/2026SenateMeasure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 48 Nays: 0
5/5/2026SenateTitle restored
5/5/2026SenateGeneral Order, Amended
5/5/2026SenatePlaced on General Order
4/23/2026SenateTitle stricken
4/21/2026SenateReported Do Pass as amended Education committee; CR filed
4/21/2026SenateSecond Reading referred to Education
4/1/2026SenateFirst Reading
3/30/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/14/2026
Amended And Engrossed
5/6/2026
House Conference Committee Report
5/6/2026
House Conference Committee Substitute
5/6/2026
Scheduled House CCR 1(A)
5/6/2026
Floor (Senate)
4/22/2026
Senate Committee Report
4/21/2026
Engrossed
3/30/2026
Floor (House)
3/9/2026
House Committee Report
3/4/2026
House Committee Substitute
3/4/2026
House Policy Committee Report
2/18/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
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