OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 28, 2011) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi this week released a report showing an increase in the number of high school freshman enrolling in college preparatory-work ready courses as outlined in the Achieving Classroom Excellence Act of 2005.
Almost 91 percent of Oklahoma freshmen this year, or almost 44,000 students, are enrolled in the courses. That number is up from 90 percent in 2010-11 and up from 89 percent in 2006-07.
“I am encouraged that the number of students taking the more strenuous course load continues to increase,” Barresi said. “We want all Oklahoma students to graduate college, career and citizen ready, and we feel this path will help ensure future success.”
The ACE law allows high school students at the beginning of their freshman year to 'opt out' of the college preparatory-work ready curriculum outlined in the ACE law. Parents must give written and verbal consent to their students’ high school counselors or principals.
According to data compiled by the state Department of Education, the parents and/or guardians of 4,242 Oklahoma high school freshmen have consented to their students opting out of the college preparatory-work ready curriculum in favor of the basic core curriculum. Completing either set of requirements leads to a high school diploma.
With freshman enrollment for the current school year at 48,151 students, the number of students opting out of the ACE curriculum represents 8.81 percent of the Class of 2015. The percentage of the Class of 2014 whose parents and/or guardians allowed them to opt out of the curriculum in 2010 was 9.51 percent and in 2006 was 11.86 percent.
Earlier this month, Barresi announced that about 84 percent of the state’s seniors had met ACE requirements, putting them on track to graduate.
To view the number of students opting out of ACE curriculum per district, go to http://www.sde.state.ok.us/Schools/Accreditation/pdf/OptOutByDIST.pdf.
