SECTION 210:15-39-1. Student apprenticeship, internship, and mentorship programs

(a)   Policies authorized. The governing body of any public school, charter school, or private school in Oklahoma is authorized to adopt policies regarding student internship, mentorship, and apprenticeship programs. Such policies may provide for participation in the programs by high school juniors and seniors. Policies may allow participation in internship, mentorship, or apprenticeship programs to satisfy elective course requirements as a student's schedule permits, but a student may not use program participation to replace any other state education requirement. Any policy adopted by a school's governing body under this authorization shall include qualifying criteria that public or private organizations must meet to be eligible for an internship, mentorship, and/or apprenticeship program agreement.

(b)   Agreements authorized. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the governing body of each public school district, charter school, or private school may enter into an agreement with one or more public or private organizations for the purpose of creating internship, mentorship, and/or apprenticeship programs as addressed in the policies of the governing body. The provisions of 70 O.S. § 1210.528-1 notwithstanding, a school district that has an existing agreement with an outside entity to offer internships or similar arrangements as part of an alternative education program prior to November 1, 2016 may continue to participate in such existing agreements as a component of the district's alternative education program.

[Source: Added at 34 Ok Reg 1078, eff 9-11-17]