UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
NOV 24 2014
The Honorable Janet Barresi
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Dear Superintendent Barre:
Thank you for your submissions of documentation on October 16 and 23, 2014, regarding the Priority
Academic Student Skills (PASS) standards Oklahoma is implementing in the 2014-2015 school year.
The documentation indicated that the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) has
reviewed these standards in English/language arts (ELA) and mathematics and determined them to be
college- and career-ready standards, such that students who meet these standards will not need remedial
course work at the postsecondary level. Accordingly, pursuant to section 9401(d)(2) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), and subject to the conditions and
commitment described below, I am granting Oklahoma’s request that I reinstitute Oklahoma's authority
to implement flexibility under the ESEA (ESEA flexibility) through the end of the 2014-2015 school
year.
My decision to grant Oklahoma's request is based on the determination by the OSRHE that Oklahoma's
PASS standards are college- and career- ready standards, as well as my determination that ESEA
flexibility has been effective in enabling Oklahoma to carry out important reforms to improve student
achievement and that granting this request is in the public interest. Ihave also determined that
‘Oklahoma has adequately addressed its ESEA flexibility Part B monitoring next steps, consistent with
the second condition below. Additionally, this letter provides my approval of Oklahoma's proposed
technical amendments to Principle 1 and Principle 2, and Oklahoma’s proposed substantive amendments
to Principle | and Principle 2 summarized in the enclosure to this letter. However, please note that the
proposed substantive amendment to Principle 2.B regarding Oklahoma’s annual measurable objectives
remains under review and will be addressed with a separate response. Oklahoma's amended request will
be posted on the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) website
My decision to approve Oklahoma’s ESEA flexibility request through the end of the 2014-2015 school
year is subject to two conditions: (1) Oklahoma must demonstrate to ED that its system of differentiated
accountability, recognition, and support considers gradu: meaningful way and includes
differentiated interventions and supports to improve low graduation rates; and (2) Oklahoma must
provide ED with evidence that it has developed and will annually administer statewide aligned, high-
quality assessments that measure student growth in reading/language arts and in mathematics in at least
grades 3-8 and at least once in high school in all LEAs, consistent with ESEA flexibility Principle 1.C
Option C. This approval is also subject to Oklahoma’s commitment to con
nue working with ED on
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Oklahoma’s requested changes in its teacher and principal evaluation and support systems, which may
require additional flexibility. [also note that in the OSRHE “Report on the Review of the Oklahoma
Priority Academie Student Skills Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics” (October 16,
2014), the Regents’ review committees included recommendations to further strengthen the PASS
standards. 1 also understand Oklahoma plans to develop new college- and career-ready standards for
implementation in the 2016-2017 school year.
‘To receive approval to implement ESEA flexibility beyond the 2014-2015 school year, Oklahoma must
submit to ED for review and approval, via the ESEA flexibility renewal process, an amended request
that addresses the requirements for renewal as well as each condition identified above. Oklahoma's
continued work with ED on its requested changes to its teacher and principal evaluation and support
systems will also inform ED's decision regarding renewal of Oklahoma’s ESEA flexibility after the
2014-2015 school year.
Oklahoma continues to have an affirmative responsibility to ensure that it and its districts are in
compliance with Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national
origin, sex, disability, and age in their implementation of ESEA flexibility. These laws include
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination Act
of 1975, and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
le VI
Tam confident that Oklahoma will continue to implement the reforms described in its approved ESEA
flexibility request and advance its efforts to hold schools and school distriets accountable for the
achievement of all students. If you need any additional assistance to implement your ESEA flexibility
request, please do not hesitate to contact Elizabeth Ross at: elizabeth.ross@ed.20v.
‘Thank you to you and your staff for your ongoing commitment and continued focus on enhancing,
education for all of Oklahoma’s students.
Sincerely,
opbieks Ae lated
Deborah Delisle
Assistant Secretary
Enclosure
cc: Richard Caram, Assistant State SuperintendentApproved Amendments to Oklahoma’s ESEA Flexibility Request
The following is a summary of the approved amendments to Oklahoma's ESEA flexibility
request, Please refer to ED's website (www.ed.gov/esea/flexibility) for Oklahoma's complete
ESEA flexibility request
Adopt College- and Career-Ready Standards (Principle 1.4)
Revision: Oklahoma amended its request to select Principle 1.A, Option B, indicating that it has
adopted college- and career-ready standards in at least reading/language arts and mathematics
that have been approved and certified by a State network of institutions, consistent with part (2)
of the definition of college- and career-ready standards. Consistent with Principle 1.4, Option B,
Oklahoma submitted the requisite evidence and attachments,
Transition to College- and Career-Ready Standards (Principle 1.B)
Revision: Oklahoma amended its request to incorporate its transition activities from
implementing standards that are common to a significant number of States to implementing the
Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) standards.
State-Developed Differentiated Recognition, Accountability, and Support (Principle 2.A)
Revision: Oklahoma amended its request to include the revisions to its A-F school grading
system prescribed by 70 O.S. § 1210.545. These revisions modify the percentages at which the
components of Oklahoma’s A-F school grading system are included in a school’s A-F grade.