Bixby Public Schools
Spartan families and staff,
We are down to 26 days until we welcome students back into classrooms for our best year yet! We hope you are enjoying the last few weeks of summer break! Please see below for important dates and back to school information, as well as the third edition of our summer updates!
We invite you to explore "All Things Back to School" via the link below! There, you'll find important dates to add to your calendar and an abundance of valuable information to assist you in preparing for yet another splendid school year!
Visit: bixbyps.info/bts
During the 2024 legislative session, HB 3278 was passed and signed into law by Gov. Stitt, opening up increased flexibility for students to chart their high school path in a way that best supports their post-secondary plans.
Please see below for a quick overview, information about the implications for current 7th - 12th grade students, and FAQs.
7th: All current 7th graders will be on the new track beginning in their 8th grade year in 25-26; no changes this year
8th: All students will choose a pathway at the end of the 24-25 school year via ICAP process; no changes this year
9th: Students will have the option to opt into the new track as 10th-12th graders; no changes this year
10th: Students will have the option to opt into the new track as 11th-12th graders
For the 24-25 school year, students currently enrolled in world language will receive further communication and may meet with their counselor to discuss possible schedule changes
11th: Students will have the option to opt into the new track as 12th graders
For the 24-25 school year, students currently enrolled in world language will receive further communication and may meet with their counselor to discuss possible schedule changes
12th: For the 24-25 school year, students will have the opportunity to opt into the new track with counselor approval only
How does this impact admission requirements at my chosen college?
Admission requirements are still determined by each institution; families should ensure students meet the requirements via their pathways to the school of their choice.
How does this impact the requirements for Oklahoma’s Promise?
Current academic requirements can be found here. Students can meet these requirements with any pathway choice.
How does this impact requirements related to NCAA?
The NCAA still determines these requirements; families should ensure students meet the requirements via their pathways if interested in post-secondary athletics. Requirements can be met with any pathway choice.
Do these requirements eliminate world language and/or fine arts course offerings?
No, these course offerings will remain elective options for students whose ICAP aligns with those courses.
Our fantastic secondary counseling team will be following up with more information and hosting informational Q & A sessions during Meet the Teacher on August 14th! Sessions are open to all families and will be in the High School Auditorium at 8:00-9:00 AM and 9:30-10:30 AM. Please join us to learn more about the updated Oklahoma Graduation Requirements!
This Wednesday, Oklahoma schools received long-awaited guidance from the State Department of Education (OSDE) regarding Superintendent Ryan Walters's so-called “Bible mandate” in schools. While the district appreciates the additional context and detail, today’s guidance does not change the district’s position as outlined in last week’s community update.
Unfortunately, in some crucial ways, the new guidance poses more questions than it answers. First, it directs districts to place a physical copy of the Bible in every classroom yet provides no clarity on which version of the Bible school districts must use or how to pay for them. There are also legitimate constitutional issues associated with public schools purchasing religious materials with taxpayer dollars.
Superintendent Walters's request that schools incorporate elements of the Bible into the framework of selected courses as an instructional resource merits some consideration and review. However, state law is also clear that the selection and purchase of curriculum and instructional materials used to teach subject matter standards is a matter of local control.
“School districts shall exclusively determine the instruction, curriculum, reading lists and instructional materials and textbooks, subject to any applicable provisions or requirements as set forth in law, to be used in meeting the subject matter standards.” 70 O.S. § 11-103.6a
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has publicly affirmed a school district’s exclusive authority related to curriculum and instructional materials.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court also recently confirmed this authority in a unanimous June 2024 decision involving Edmond Public Schools.
In conclusion, the district will continue to teach the legislatively approved Oklahoma Academic Standards in BPS classrooms during the upcoming school year using curricular resources vetted and formally approved by the Bixby Board of Education.
Please stay tuned for specific information from principals, which will be coming your way as we approach the start of school.
Thank you for your continued support of Bixby Schools!
Rob Miller
Superintendent
