Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.407

A. 1. There is hereby created a mechanism for establishing

criteria and a process for designation as a STEM Community or STEM

Region. The STEM Community or STEM Region is one of several

recommendations on improving Oklahoma Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the Governor's

Science and Technology Council's "OneOklahoma" report.

2. The criteria for designation as a STEM Community or STEM

Region shall include a requirement that educators, administrators,

business leaders, students, parents, government officials and

business and industry groups within a community or region create

awareness, promote partnerships with education and industry, develop

and execute action plans for improving STEM education and training,

identify and acquire the needed resources to improve STEM education

and training and identify and accumulate STEM data within the

community or region, including but not limited to kindergarten

through twelfth grade test results, the number of STEM-related

degree holders in the local workforce, the number of STEM-related

degrees conferred and the number of STEM-related certifications or

credentials obtained. The region or community shall also develop a

plan to recognize and promote successes in both student and teacher

accomplishments in the STEM area within the community or region.

The concept of creating a STEM Community or STEM Region is

incorporated in the Department of Education's STEM strategy and will

include and support STEM programs in many of the Department of

Career and Technology Education's technology centers.

3. The process for designation as a STEM Community or STEM

Region shall require that state legislators initiate designation of

a STEM Community or STEM Region through an application process. The

final approval and designation of an Oklahoma STEM Community or STEM

Region shall reside with the Governor.

4. The application process shall be outlined by a subcommittee

of an existing STEM education or workforce committee or board, to be

identified by the Governor. The creation, sustainment and execution

of the subcommittee shall be the responsibility of the Department of

Career and Technology Education. The application process shall be

based on criteria established by the subcommittee.

B. The subcommittee shall also study issues related to the

promotion and growth of STEM education and training in the state and

create specific recommendations to address the current and pending

shortage of highly skilled employees in the energy, agriculture and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1219

biosciences, aerospace and defense, transportation and distribution

and information technology and financial services sectors in

Oklahoma.

C. The subcommittee shall submit a report of its findings and

recommendations to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the

Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on an annual

basis.