The State Department of Education shall, at least thirty (30) days prior to the 1973 regular session of the Legislature and each regular session thereafter, transmit to the members of the State Board of Education, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Education Committees, a report as to the status of the drug abuse education program together with any recommendations for further improvement, modification or additional legislation. Added by Laws 1972, c. 212, § 8, emerg. eff. April 6, 1972.
§70-1210.229-1. Short title. Sections 1210.229-1 through 1210.229-5 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Life Skills Education Act". Added by Laws 1987, c. 116, § 1, emerg. eff. May 26, 1987; Laws 1991, c. 121, § 6, emerg. eff. April 29, 1991.
§70-1210.229-2. Legislative findings and intent. The Legislature finds that for the purpose of preventing drug and alcohol abuse among our young people, and for preventing or alleviating problems which lead to and are closely associated with drug and alcohol abuse, it is desirable that all Oklahoma school districts develop and implement a curriculum for drug and alcohol abuse prevention for all grade levels. Such curriculum may include training in life skills, such as problem-solving, responsibility, communication and decision-making skills, which enable young people
to successfully resist social and other pressures to engage in activities which are destructive to their health and future. The Legislature encourages all school districts to adopt as a goal for the year 1990 the full implementation of drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs in their schools. In order to expand and enhance the ability of school districts to implement drug and alcohol prevention programs, it is the intent of the Legislature that local school districts participate in the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986, 20 A.S.C., Section 4601 et seq. and the provisions of Public Law No. 101-647, Drug-Free School Zones. In order to derive maximum benefit from their drug and alcohol prevention programs, it is further the intent of the Legislature that the school districts coordinate their efforts and activities with the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board, and with appropriate state and local drug and alcohol abuse, health and law enforcement agencies and programs within the community which provide drug education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. It is further the intent of the Legislature to encourage school districts to establish programs concerning the danger and criminal consequences of the possession and/or use of firearms or other dangerous or deadly weapons in school zones. Added by Laws 1987, c. 116, § 2, emerg. eff. May 26, 1987. Amended by Laws 1991, c. 121, § 7, emerg. eff. April 29, 1991; Laws 1992, c. 170, § 4, emerg. eff. May 5, 1992.
§70-1210.229-3. Definitions. For purposes of the Oklahoma Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Life Skills Education Act, Section 1210.229-1 et seq. of this title: 1. "Alcohol" means any low-point beer as defined in Section 163.2 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes or alcoholic beverage as defined in Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes; 2. "Board" means the State Board of Education; 3. "Department" means the State Department of Education; 4. "Drug" means a controlled dangerous substance as defined in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, Section 2-101 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and 5. "Life skills" includes but is not limited to fostering skills in responsibility, decision making, communication, self- confidence and goal setting. Life skills shall not include values clarification or sex education. Added by Laws 1987, c. 116, § 3, emerg. eff. May 26, 1987. Amended by Laws 1991, c. 121, § 8, emerg. eff. April 29, 1991; Laws 1995, c. 274, § 56, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.
§70-1210.229-4. Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 121, § 10, emerg. eff. April 29, 1991.
§70-1210.229-5. State Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Department of Education - Coordination with Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board - Joint duties. A. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Department of Education in conjunction with the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board shall: 1. Establish objective criteria, guidelines and a comprehensive integrated curriculum for substance abuse programs and the teaching of life skills in local schools and school districts; 2. Establish and review annually model policies for alcohol and drug abuse issues including, but not limited to, policies regarding disciplinary actions and referral for services; 3. Develop and implement strategies which encourage all schools to employ guidance counselors trained in substance abuse prevention and life skills and to develop and begin implementing quality substance abuse and life skills education programs; and 4. Develop guidelines and criteria to encourage teachers and administrators to receive in-service training on alcohol and drug abuse. The training or workshops shall be included in the staff development point system. The training or workshop shall be completed the first year a certified teacher is employed by a school district, and then once every fifth academic year. B. The State Department of Education shall distribute information or reports provided by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board, to each school district and, upon request, to members of the public. Upon request of the chief administrator of a school or school district, the Department shall provide technical assistance to schools and school districts to implement policies and programs pursuant to guidelines provided by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board and shall provide a clearinghouse program accessible by school districts to provide information about life skills and drug and alcohol abuse prevention curricula and programs. C. Final determination of materials to be used, means of implementation of the curriculum, and ages and times at which students receive instruction about life skills and drug and alcohol abuse prevention shall be made by the school district board of education. The school district, at least one (1) month prior to giving such instruction to students, shall conduct for parents and guardians of students involved, during weekend or evening hours, at least one presentation concerning the plans for instruction and the materials to be used. No student shall be required to receive instruction about life skills and drug and alcohol abuse prevention if a parent or guardian of the student objects in writing.
Added by Laws 1987, c. 116, § 5, emerg. eff. May 26, 1987. Amended by Laws 1991, c. 121, § 9, emerg. eff. April 29, 1991; Laws 2021, c. 103, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2021; Laws 2023, c. 15, § 8, eff. July 1, 2023.
§70-1210.229-6. Program of character education. A. The board of education of every school district in this state may develop and implement a comprehensive program for character education in any single grade or combination of grades, prekindergarten through twelfth. The character education program shall focus on development of character traits in students. The program of character education may include, but shall not be limited to, the voluntary reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. B. The State Department of Education shall develop and make available to all school districts through an Internet website, the following: 1. Technical assistance upon request of a school district; 2. A list of approved research-based character education programs, curricula, and materials which may be used by school districts; 3. A character education honor roll that will recognize school districts that have successfully implemented a comprehensive school- district-wide program of character education and will highlight the positive impacts the program has had on each school or school district; and 4. A character education reading list of books that may include, but is not limited to, books that illustrate models of good character and books that relate to the development of good character traits that may be used by schools in a character education program. C. Subject to the availability of funding, the State Board of Education may award grants to ten school districts for the establishment of pilot projects which align character education with the state curriculum in reading, mathematics, science or social studies and demonstrate how character education teaches life skills that lead to career readiness. The amount of each grant shall be One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). The projects shall be innovative programs that will serve as models for other school districts. Funding may cover the cost of purchasing curriculum, materials, or training teachers. The Board shall determine pilot project criteria and establish a process for the consideration of proposals. The proposals for pilot projects shall be considered on a statewide competitive basis. The Board shall promulgate rules for the operation of the projects. Added by Laws 1999, c. 113, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999. Amended by Laws 2005, c. 300, § 1, eff. July 1, 2005; Laws 2013, c. 163, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013.
§70-1210.229-7. Patriotic societies - Opportunity to speak and recruit at public schools. A. As used in this section, "patriotic society" means any youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code. B. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the principal of each public school in the state shall allow representatives of a patriotic society the opportunity to speak with and recruit students to participate in their organizations during school hours to inform the students of how the patriotic society may further the students' educational interests and civic involvement to better their schools, communities and themselves. C. The patriotic society shall provide verbal or written notice to the principal of its intent to speak to the students. The principal shall provide verbal or written approval of the specific day and time for the society to address the students. Added by Laws 2017, c. 176, § 3.