Bergstrom files bill to require remedial courses for students scoring below testing benchmarks

Bergstrom files bill to require remedial courses for students scoring below testing benchmarks

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 3rd) – Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, has filed Senate Bill 44 to require high schools across the state to provide remediation courses for students scoring below subject-area benchmarks on tests like the ACT or SAT.

“Unfortunately, a large portion of our young people who graduate high school and opt for college end up having to take remedial courses and pay tuition for classes they passed in high school,” said Bergstrom.

Bergstrom added that requiring remediation is a step in the right direction.

“If this bill passes, starting next school year, students would have remedial courses to help them in test areas where they need extra help before they graduate, better preparing them for future careers or educational pursuits,” Bergstrom said. “As a former educator I know that it is possible to accomplish this. I also know that it can be accomplished if we put Oklahoma students’ educational needs first. Most of Oklahoma’s teachers want to do just that, they want to see their students not only get a diploma but benefit from a quality education that pushes them to overcome and conquer the areas and skills they may be weak in, including math, science and language arts.”

SB 44 can be heard when the 59th Legislature convenes on Feb. 6.