Oklahoma Legislators Sign Bill For High School Aviation Curriculum

It was three years in the making, but Oklahoma’s High Schools can finally celebrate the culmination of this milestone legislative action that will permit high schools across the state to introduce aviation into the curriculum.

The “You Can Fly” High School Curriculum has been well received across the state, and the legislation encourages its qualification as core credit while also providing additional options for students.

Senate Bill SB1147, sponsored by senators Zack Taylor (R-Seminole) and Nicole Miller (R-Edmond) directs the State Board of Education to determine if courses on aviation are eligible for non-elective academic credit toward meeting Oklahoma’s graduation requirements.

Last year, the Commission, as part of a statewide consortium, was awarded a Federal Aviation Administration Workforce Development Grant to further support the implementation of the program.

A secondary goal was to make Oklahoma’s educators aware of the potential that aviation and aerospace have in their classrooms, and 5 high schools (Adam McAlester, Mustang, Okmulgee, and Pryor) jumped aboard the pilot (pun intended) program, and it is hoped that others can build on their success.

To encourage others to be a beacon, to share their learning and expertise with those not yet onboard, these schools have been designated Oklahoma Aviation High Schools of Excellence.

The recognition and the attention that comes with this distinction will quite likely incentivize other high schools to reach for the sky through  “You Can Fly.”

FMI: https://oac.ok.gov/aviation-education