Public schools would offer career-readiness assessments to students

Public school districts may choose to give approved career-readiness assessments to students. The assessments would be available to students in grades 10 through 12 in all public school districts. A district that chooses to give the assessments must offer them at least once to each student who chooses to take one. Students would not pay for an assessment they choose to take. The assessments must measure broad workplace skills, cover areas such as applied math and critical thinking, support work-readiness credentials, and be available on paper or by computer. The provision begins with the 2026-2027 school year. The assessments are described as beginning with the 2026-2027 school year; the act separately says it takes effect July 1, 2026, and also declares an emergency taking effect after passage and approval.

Students who reach the required score on an assessment may receive an assessment-based work-readiness credential, and higher education institutions may grant college credit under rules adopted by the State Regents. The credential applies to students who meet the required proficiency level; possible college credit applies to institutions in Oklahoma's public higher education system. The credential must be tied to nationally recognized work-readiness certificates or credentials. The State Regents may adopt rules in consultation with the American Council on Education National Guide. College credit would be allowed only if an institution grants it under those rules; the text does not require every institution to do so. The text does not state a separate start or end date for credentials or possible college credit beyond the act's stated effective dates.