A. The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the State Board of Career and Technology Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, shall develop college and career endorsements that will provide distinction and direct student coursework toward clear career pathways.

B. A student may earn a college and career endorsement by satisfying the curriculum requirements in any of the following categories:

1. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), which may include but shall not be limited to courses directly related to science, including environmental science, technology, including computer science, engineering and advanced mathematics;

2. Business and industry, which may include but shall not be limited to courses directly related to database management, information technology, communications, accounting, finance, marketing, graphic design, architecture, construction, welding, logistics, automotive technology, agricultural science and heating, ventilation and air conditioning;

3. Public services, which may include but shall not be limited to courses directly related to health sciences and occupations, education and training, law enforcement and culinary arts and hospitality;

4. Arts and humanities, which may include but shall not be limited to courses directly related to political science, world languages, cultural studies, English literature, history and fine arts;

5. Multidisciplinary studies, which allow a student to select courses from the curriculum of each college and career endorsement area specified under this subsection and earn credits in a variety of advanced courses from multiple content areas; and

6. Any other area of study as determined by the State Board of Education.

C. The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the State Board of Career and Technology Education, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and representatives of business, labor and industry, shall specify the curriculum requirements for each college and career endorsement specified in subsection B of this section.

D. For purposes of this section, applicable courses taken at a technology center school may, at the discretion of the State Board of Education, qualify for any of the courses required for a college and career endorsement.

E. The State Board of Education shall develop and implement a mechanism by which to recognize college and career endorsements.

Added by Laws 2016, c. 263, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2016.