New Standards Review and Revision Process

The OSDE facilitates a revision of academic subject matter standards every six years in accordance with 70 O.S. § 11-103.6a.

Academic subject matter standards are concise, written descriptions of what students are expected to know and be able to do at a specific stage of their education. Academic standards describe educational objectives (i.e., what students should have learned by the end of a course, grade level or grade span), but they do not describe a particular teaching practice, curriculum or assessment method.

The Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts (OAS-ELA) are up for review and revision in 2026-2027. The OAS-ELA were last reviewed and revised in 2021. Public comment is open between October 21, 2026 and December 4, 2026.  After public comment is considered, the State Board of Education will vote on the draft of the OAS-ELA on February 18, 2027. The standards then go to the legislature. The public comment draft of the standards can be found below.

Draft Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts

All feedback received during the public comment period will be reviewed by the OSDE and executive committee for consideration in the revision process. Complete the following form to submit feedback.

Feedback Form: OAS-ELA

• focus on deep thinking, conceptual understanding, and real‐world problem-solving skills
• set expectations for students to be College, Career, and Citizenship Ready
• incorporate literacy in Science, Social Studies, and Technical subjects
• emphasize the use of citations and examples from texts when creating opinions and arguments
• increase rigor and grade‐level expectations
• determine the full range of support for English Learners and students with special needs.

• dictate how teachers should teach
• mandate a specific curriculum
• limit advanced work beyond the standards
• require the purchase or development of entirely new instructional materials
• prescribe all that can or should be taught
• limit efforts to prepare students for college, career, and citizenship readiness
• prescribe interventions for students below grade‐level

For most subject areas, teams of PK-20 educators, community members, and other stakeholders are selected to serve on one of three standards review and revision committees:

The Executive Committee is established to work with the Oklahoma State Department of Education subject area Directors to inform and guide the process for review and revision of the Oklahoma Academic Standards. The team will develop goals and a process for the subject matter standards revision process and will help facilitate discussions during writing and draft review team meetings. The Executive Committee will also be involved in the final draft review of the standards. Executive Committee members are selected ensuring representation from a variety of characteristics, including geography, grade level, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and experience.

The Writing Committee is tasked with reviewing and, if necessary, revising the subject matter Oklahoma Academic Standards. Members of the Writing Committee include representatives from Pre-K-12, higher education, and community and are selected by the Executive Committee members and OSDE through an application process, ensuring representation from a variety of characteristics, including geography, grade level, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and experience.

The Draft Review Committee is responsible for collaboratively reviewing and providing feedback on Writing Committee revisions, providing an additional lens for equity, clarity, and coherence. Members of the Draft Review Committee include representatives from Pre-K-12, higher education, and community and are selected by the Executive Committee members and OSDE through an application process, ensuring representation from a variety of characteristics, including geography, grade level, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and experience.

Focus groups are formed during the review process as needed to provide insights on particular needs with groups that have specific expertise in an area. Focus group feedback is evaluated by the executive committee and writing team and integrated as appropriate. The following are examples of the types of focus groups or individuals that could be included, but are not limited to: 

1. Legislative Focus Group 
2. Industry Partners Focus Group
3. Families and Stakeholders Focus Group 
4. State Agencies

Once standards have completed the review and revision process within the Committees, the draft standards are made available for public comment. The OSDE welcomes feedback from all interested stakeholders. This includes, but is not limited to, “comments from students, parents, educators, organizations representing students with disabilities and English language learners, higher education and career technology education representatives, subject matter experts, community-based organizations, Native American tribal representatives, and business community representatives” (70 O.S. § 11-103.6a). 

Feedback received from the public comment period is reviewed by the executive committee and writing team who determine how to incorporate the feedback. Then a final draft is sent to the State Board of Education for approval.

Timeline for Revision

Standards Review and Revision is currently in progress for Health and Physical Education. Prior to public comment, Executive, Writing, and Draft Review Committees met to review, provide feedback, and, if necessary, revise the content area Oklahoma Academic Standards. 

Note: The image below represents an estimated timeline for standards review and revision.

If you have questions or comments about the Oklahoma Academic Standards review and revision process, please contact Dr. Jennifer Cruz.