SECTION 210:35-3-228. Required application criteria to be considered for requests for deregulations, waivers of statutory requirements, and participation in the School District Empowerment Program  


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  • (a)   Applications. The State Department of Education shall develop an application for use by school districts in seeking approval from the State Board of Education of requests for:
    (1)   Waivers from a statutory requirement;
    (2)   Deregulation from a State Department of Education regulation; or
    (3)   Participation in the School District Empowerment Program, by obtaining a waiver from all statutory requirements and State Board of Education rules from which charter schools are exempt under the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.
    (b)   Criteria for applications for deregulation, waivers, or participation in the School District Empowerment Program. The application submitted shall meet all of the following requirements:
    (1)   Alternate strategies. The application shall clearly state the alternate strategy(ies) which the school district proposes to utilize and the needed resources to meet clearly stated objectives as a result of the proposed deregulation, waiver, or participation in the School District Empowerment Program. The specific objectives to be focused on as a result of deregulated status shall be clearly delineated.
    (2)   Student performance. The application shall clearly specify and describe the expected student performance levels to be demonstrated and evaluated as a result of the proposed deregulation, waiver, or participation in the School District Empowerment Program.
    (3)   Standard(s) to be deregulated or statutes to be waived. The application shall clearly identify/state the regulation(s) from which the school district is proposing to be deregulated or the statute(s) for which the school district seeks a waiver.
    (4)   Financial impact. The application shall clearly delineate the projected financial impact the proposed deregulation, waiver, or participation in the School District Empowerment Program would create.
    (5)   Timeline(s). The application shall clearly delineate the proposed timeline(s) which, if approved, will apply to the deregulation, waiver, or participation in the School District Empowerment Program. The proposed timeline for implementation shall include:
    (A)   The date(s) the school district proposes to implement the deregulation, waiver, or participation in the School District Empowerment Program; and
    (B)   The date(s) proposed to terminate the deregulation, waiver, or participation in the School District Empowerment Program, which shall be no longer than:
    (i)   Waivers and deregulations: Three (3) years from the date of implementation of a waiver or deregulation;
    (ii)   School District Empowerment Program: Three (3) years from the date of implementation of the district's empowerment plan.
    (6)   Local board approval. The application shall contain the original signature of the school district superintendent and the president of the local board of education certifying that the local board of education has approved the application for deregulation, waiver, or participation in the School District Empowerment Program in accordance with the provisions in the bylaws, policies, and/or procedures of the school board governing transaction of business.
    (c)   Applications for School District Empowerment Program. In addition to the requirements set forth in (b) of this Section, all applications by the school district for participation in the School District Empowerment Program shall submit a comprehensive plan which identifies the goals sought to be achieved through deregulation and the anticipated educational and fiscal benefits, impacts, and outcomes for all schools in the district resulting from participation in the School District Empowerment Program. Applications for participation in the School District Empowerment Program shall be submitted and reviewed in accordance with the procedures set forth in 210:35-3-229.
[Source: Added at 8 Ok Reg 2159, eff 5-17-91 (emergency); Added at 9 Ok Reg 2371, eff 7-13-92; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 20, eff 9-17-01 (emergency); Amended at 19 Ok Reg 982, eff 5-13-02; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 1221, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 724, eff 8-25-16]