reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-101.42. Wage increase for 2018-19 school year.

A. For the 2018-19 school year, each school district shall provide to every support employee a wage increase over the base amount the employee earned during the 2017-18 school year if the support employee is employed by the same school district for the 2018-19 school year in the amount of One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,250.00). The dollar amount of salary increase authorized by this subsection shall be prorated based upon the number of total hours of work performed by a full-time-equivalent support employee.
B. The increase prescribed by this section shall be in addition to any other compensation and fringe benefits provided by the district, or mandated by law or collective bargaining agreement, unless the hours or duties of the support employee are reduced proportionately.
Added by Laws 2018, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 15, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-101.43. Adoption and publication of disciplinary policy for support personnel - Copies.

Each local board of education shall adopt a policy statement defining the causes and procedures for suspension, demotion, termination or nonreemployment of support personnel. Upon adoption of such policy, a copy thereof shall be furnished to each support employee.
Added by Laws 1981, c. 122, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. Renumbered from § 24-134 by Laws 1989, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 2, § 119, operative July 1, 1990. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 215, § 3, emerg. eff. May 24, 1993.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-101.44. Adoption of policy prerequisite to disciplinary action.

Beginning January 1, 1982, no suspension, demotion or termination of a support employee shall be effective or enforceable unless the local school board has adopted a policy as provided in Section 2 of this act.
Laws 1981, c. 122, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. Renumbered from § 24-135 by Laws 1989, 1st Ex.Sess, c. 2, § 119, operative July 1, 1990.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-101.45. Reasonable assurance of employment.

A. A school district, no later than ten (10) days after the effective date of the education appropriation bill or June 1, whichever is later, shall give reasonable assurance of employment in writing to any support employee that the school intends to employ for the subsequent school year.
B. This section shall not be construed to nullify the provisions of Sections 24-133 through 24-137 of this title or be construed to deprive any employee that the district is considering not employing for the subsequent year of any rights provided in such sections.
Added by Laws 1987, c. 101, § 1, emerg. eff. May 22, 1987. Amended by Laws 1989, c. 111, § 1. Renumbered from § 24-135.1 by Laws 1989, 1st Ex.Sess. c. 2, § 119, operative July 1, 1990.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-101.46. Procedure for disciplinary action.

A. After any suspension or prior to any demotion, termination or nonreemployment, a support employee shall receive notice of the right to a hearing. The hearing shall be conducted by the local board of education. All notices shall be by certified mail, with the postmark used to determine the timeliness of the notice. Failure of the employee to request a hearing within ten (10) working days of such notice shall be considered a waiver of the employee's right to a hearing.
B. Nonreemployment shall mean nonrenewal of a support employee's contract upon expiration of the contract.
C. If an employee is to be suspended for a period to exceed ten (10) days, the superintendent of the district shall initiate proceedings for termination and shall follow the procedures set forth in subsection A of this section. However, in a case involving a criminal charge or indictment, the suspension may be delayed until the employee's case is adjudicated at the trial. Nothing in this act shall prevent the school board from proceeding against the employee during or after the suspension for termination as provided in this act.
Added by Laws 1981, c. 122, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. Renumbered from § 24-136 by Laws 1989, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 2, § 119, operative July 1, 1990. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 215, § 4, emerg. eff. May 24, 1993.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-101.47. Hearing.

If the employee selects a hearing before the local board of education, the hearing shall be conducted at the next, or next succeeding, regularly scheduled meeting if the request for the hearing was received by the local board of education at least ten (10) days prior to the next, or next succeeding, regularly scheduled meeting. Provided, however, at the request of the employee or at the discretion of the local board of education, the local board shall call a special meeting to conduct the requested hearing, which shall be held no sooner than ten (10) days nor later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the employee's request. The decision of the local board of education at the hearing shall be final.
Laws 1981, c. 122, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. Renumbered from § 24-137 by Laws 1989, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 119, operative July 1, 1990.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-101.48. Employees of business having contract with school - Conviction of sex offense or felony.

A. No person or business having a contract with a school or school district to perform work on a full-time or part-time basis that would otherwise be performed by school district employees shall allow any employee to work on school premises if the employee is convicted in this state, the United States or another state of any felony offense unless ten (10) years has elapsed since the date of the criminal conviction or the employee has received a presidential or gubernatorial pardon for the criminal offense.
B. Every person or business performing services not subject to subsection A of this section on the property of a school or school district shall at the time of contracting be required to sign a statement declaring that no employee working on school premises under the authority of the business is currently registered or required to register under the provisions of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or the Mary Rippy Violent Crime Offenders Registration Act. Compliance with this statute shall be required of the person or private business, and there shall be no obligation placed upon a school district to ascertain the truthfulness of the affidavit.
C. A person or business having a written contract with a school or school district to perform work on a full-time or part-time basis that would otherwise be performed by school district employees may conduct a felony search of the employees of the person or entity who would be assigned that work through a request to the State Board of Education in the same manner as a felony search is afforded school districts by Section 5-142 of this title.
Added by Laws 1998, c. 411, § 4, eff. July 1, 1998. Amended by Laws 1999, c. 200, § 2, emerg. eff. May 24, 1999; Laws 2005, c. 205, § 2, eff. July 1, 2005; Laws 2008, c. 347, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2008; Laws 2009, c. 2, § 30, emerg. eff. March 12, 2009.
NOTE: Laws 2008, c. 162, § 4 repealed by Laws 2009, c. 2, § 31, emerg. eff. March 12, 2009.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-104.1. Exhaustion of sick and extended leave - Credit for leave without pay.

After exhausting sick leave and extended leave pursuant to Sections 6-104 and 6-104.5 of this title and maternity leave pursuant to Section 1 of this act, a full-time teacher who, with the proper approval of the district board of education, takes not more than ninety (90) school days of leave without pay to care for the teacher’s child during the first year of the child’s life, shall receive full credit for the days on leave without pay as though the teacher had been on leave with pay for purposes of computing experience for the minimum teacher salary schedule. A teacher on leave without pay pursuant to this section who pays the actuarial cost, as determined by the Board of Trustees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma, shall have the period during which such leave without pay is taken, counted toward retirement service credit as though the teacher had been on leave with pay. The teacher shall notify his or her employer and the System in writing within thirty (30) days from the date he or she returns to service that he or she will pay such actuarial cost. The teacher shall have up to twelve (12) months from the date he or she returns to service to pay such actuarial cost.
Added by Laws 1998, c. 402, § 1, eff. July 1, 1998. Amended by Laws 2023, c. 291, § 2, eff. July 1, 2023.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-104.5. Exhausted sick leave - Unused sick leave upon termination.

A. If, after exhausting all sick leave pursuant to Section 6-104 of this title and maternity leave pursuant to Section 1 of this act, a teacher is absent from his or her duties due to personal accidental injury, illness, or pregnancy, the teacher shall receive for a period of not to exceed twenty (20) days his or her full contract salary less the amount:
1. Actually paid a certified substitute teacher for his or her position if a certified substitute teacher is hired; or
2. Normally paid a certified substitute teacher for his or her position if a certified substitute teacher is not hired.
B. The district’s plan may provide that the teacher is entitled to payment for accrued but unused sick leave upon termination of employment.
Added by Laws 1976, c. 286, § 2, operative July 1, 1976. Amended by Laws 1985, c. 14, § 1, operative July 1, 1985; Laws 2023, c. 291, § 3, eff. July 1, 2023.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-104.7. National disaster leave.

A. The board of education of each school district may grant leave with pay not to exceed fifteen (15) working days to a district employee who is affected by a presidentially declared national disaster in Oklahoma after May 1, 1999, if:
1. The employee suffered a physical injury as a result of the disaster;
2. A relative or household member of the employee suffered a physical injury or died as a result of the disaster; or
3. The domicile of the employee or the domicile of a relative of the employee was damaged or destroyed as a result of the disaster.
B. As used in this section:
1. “Relative of the employee” shall be limited to the spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, grandparent, stepparent, or parent of the employee; and
2. “Household members” means those persons who reside in the same home, who have reciprocal duties to and do provide financial support for one another. This term shall include foster children and legal wards even if they do not live in the household. The term does not include persons sharing the same general house, when the living style is primarily that of a dormitory or commune.
C. The authority to grant leave with pay pursuant to subsection A of this section shall extend for a period of not more than six (6) months after the date of a presidentially declared national disaster.
D. Annual leave, sick leave, or compensatory time which was charged to a school district employee as a result of the presidentially declared national disaster resulting from the May 3, 1999, tornadoes that would have otherwise been eligible for the leave provision in subsection A of this section, may be reinstated by the governing body. A school district employee entitled to leave with pay pursuant to this section who was charged leave without pay shall be compensated at the base rate of pay of the employee.
E. A district board of education may amend an existing leave sharing program or establish a leave sharing program to allow district employees to share sick or annual leave with district employees who are eligible for leave pursuant to subsection A of this section. The disaster-related leave sharing plan shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. An employee eligible for disaster-related leave may receive up to fifteen (15) days donated leave;
2. The donated leave must be used for disaster-related injuries or matters;
3. The eligible employee shall not be required to take or exhaust any of the employee’s regular sick, personal, or emergency leave in order to receive donated leave;
4. Donated leave may be used to reinstate regular emergency, sick, or personal leave an employee used after May 1, 1999, for disaster-related injuries or matters;
5. An eligible employee who was required to take leave without pay for disaster-related injuries or matters may be compensated for up to fifteen (15) days if leave is donated to cover the leave without pay; and
6. The district may require documentation to support a request to use donated leave pursuant to this section.
Added by Laws 1999, c. 306, § 6, eff. July 1, 1999.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-104.9. Public School Paid Maternity Leave Revolving Fund.

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Board of Education to be designated the “Public School Paid Maternity Leave Revolving Fund”. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the State Board of Education from state appropriations. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the State Board of Education for the purpose of reimbursing school districts for expenses related to providing paid maternity leave as provided for in subsection B of this section. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
B. School districts in this state shall file claims with the State Board of Education for reimbursement of expenses related to providing eligible employees with paid maternity leave as provided for in Section 1 of this act.
Added by Laws 2023, c. 291, § 7, eff. July 1, 2023.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-104.10. Education Employee Paid Maternity Leave Revolving Fund.

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to be designated the “Education Employee Paid Maternity Leave Revolving Fund”. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services from state appropriations. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for the purpose of reimbursing agencies for expenses related to providing paid maternity leave as provided for in subsection B of this section. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
B. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, State Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Corrections, and the Office of Juvenile Affairs shall file claims with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for reimbursement of expenses related to providing eligible employees with paid maternity leave as provided for in Section 1 of this act.
Added by Laws 2023, c. 291, § 8, eff. July 1, 2023.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-106. Salary - Twelve monthly payments.

Boards of education are hereby authorized to contract with and pay all teachers in their respective districts in twelve (12) monthly payments or fractional parts of the fiscal year, to be made on the basis of legal contracts between said board and teachers. Procedures for paying teachers shall be in accordance with any plan approved by the State Department of Education.
The aggregate amount of such salary payments in any fiscal year shall be as agreed upon by the board and the teacher. Under the terms of a contract for a ten-month school year as defined in Section 1-109 of this title and made in keeping with the provisions of this section, no duties shall be expected or required of the teacher in excess of one hundred ninety (190) days; provided, nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the making of contracts for school years of more than ten (10) months. Any district adopting this plan of payment may make it applicable to any or all teachers employed therein. Such plan shall be permissive rather than mandatory and may be discontinued at the close of any fiscal year.
All salaries paid in twelve (12) installments pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be for calendar months or fractional parts thereof.
Amended by Laws 1982, c. 287, § 44, operative July 1, 1982; Laws 1989, c. 335, § 18, eff. July 1, 1989.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-106.1. Distribution of Mentor Teacher Stipend funds.

If funds are appropriated to the State Board of Education for Mentor Teacher Stipends, the funds shall be distributed by the Board to the school districts to provide a stipend of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each mentor teacher as defined in Section 6-182 of this title. In addition to the distribution of the five-hundred-dollar stipend, each district shall also receive the district's contribution amount necessary to meet the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (F.I.C.A.) requirements.
Added by Laws 1995, c. 305, § 10, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 415, § 29, eff. July 1, 2003.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-106.2. “Direct deposit system” and “employee” defined – Implementation and administration of direct deposit system.

A. As used in this section:
1. “Direct deposit system” means a method of electronically transferring a payroll claim for an employee to a financial institution; and
2. “Employee” means any certified or support employee as defined in Section 26-103 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes employed by any school district in this state.
B. A school district board of education may adopt a policy implementing a direct deposit system for employees of the school district.
C. No school district which chooses to implement a direct deposit system may charge any employee of that school district any fee or assessment as a result of the implementation and administration of a direct deposit system.
Added by Laws 2008, c. 186, § 2, eff. July 1, 2008.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-106.3. Support employee schedule of payments.

A school district board of education, including a technology center school district board of education, may contract with and pay all support employees, as defined in Section 6-101.40 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, monthly, semimonthly or biweekly over ten (10), eleven (11) or twelve (12) calendar months or in twelve monthly payments which may be for calendar months or fractional parts thereof in the same manner as provided for the payment of teachers in Section 6-106 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 2013, c. 45, § 2, eff. July 1, 2013.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-107. Employment of person not holding valid certificate of qualification – Violation – Criminal history record check.

A. Except for employment of a director of a public developmental research school as authorized in Section 1210.577 of this title and except as provided for in Section 6-101 of this title, it shall be unlawful for a member of the board of education of a school district to employ, approve or vote for the employment of any person to perform services for the district unless the person employed holds a valid certificate of qualification issued in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education to perform the services the person is employed to perform.
B. The State Department of Education shall require each person offered a position within the agency that requires working directly with children to furnish fingerprints to be used for a state and national criminal history record check as defined by Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 1971, c. 281, § 6-107, eff. July 2, 1971. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 257, § 11, emerg. eff. May 26, 1993; Laws 2003, c. 204, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2005, c. 185, § 2, emerg. eff. May 17, 2005.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-108. Certificate of qualifications - Unlawful to teach without.

Except for service as a director of a public developmental research school and service by a faculty member of a higher education institution affiliated with a public developmental research school as specifically authorized in this act and except as provided for in Section 6-101 of this title, it shall be unlawful for any person to serve, or to contract or agree to serve, as superintendent, elementary superintendent, principal, supervisor, librarian, school nurse, classroom teacher or other instructional, supervisory or administrative employee of a school district unless the person holds a valid certificate of qualification issued in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education to perform the services the person performs or contracts or agrees to perform. The State Board of Education shall provide for the certification of elementary superintendents.
Added by Laws 1971, c. 281, § 6-108, eff. July 2, 1971. Amended by Laws 1991, c. 16, § 5, eff. July 1, 1991; Laws 1993, c. 257, § 12, emerg. eff. May 26, 1993; Laws 2005, c. 185, § 3, emerg. eff. May 17, 2005.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-108.1. Expired license or certificate notice - Renewal applications.

A. No later than October 1 of each year, the State Department of Education shall provide written notice to the last-known address of any individual who held any license or certificate issued by the State Board of Education which expired on June 30 of the same year. Notice shall also be provided to the last-known district which employed any such individual.
B. If any individual whose license or certificate issued by the State Board of Education has expired submits a renewal application and processing fee by December 31 of the year in which the license or certificate has expired, such license or certificate shall be renewed with an effective date of July 1 of the year in which the license or certificate has expired, unless other statutory basis exists for denying such renewal.
C. If any individual whose license or certificate issued by the State Board of Education has expired submits a renewal application and processing fee after December 31 of the year in which the license or certificate has expired, such license or certificate shall be renewed with an effective date in accordance with State Department of Education rules, unless another statutory basis exists for denying such renewal.
D. The processing fee for late renewal of a license or certificate shall not exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the standard renewal processing fee for renewal applications submitted by December 31 of the year in which the license or certificate has expired, or two hundred percent (200%) of the standard renewal processing fee for renewal applications submitted after December 31 of the year in which the license or certificate has expired.
Added by Laws 2015, c. 315, § 1, eff. July 1, 2015.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-110. Agents of school authorities - Payment or acceptance of bribes.

It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any officer or employee of the State Board of Education, a member of a board of education, or other person acting as an agent of the State Board of Education or any board of education, or of any school teacher, or of any person or organization, to pay or accept any fee, commission or remuneration of any kind or character in payment for services rendered in securing positions for teachers in any of the public schools of this state.
Laws 1971, c. 281, § 6-110, eff. July 2, 1971; Laws 1993, c. 239, § 30, eff. July 1, 1993.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-111. Gratuities or rewards - Unlawful to give.

It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to give, or agree or offer to give, any gratuity or reward in consideration that he or any other person shall be employed as a teacher in any public school of this state.
Added by Laws 1971, c. 281, § 6-111, eff. July 2, 1971.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-112. Teachers - Gratuities or rewards in connection with employment.

It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person, directly or indirectly, to ask or receive, or promise to receive any gratuity or reward or promise of a gratuity or reward for employing another person as a teacher in any public school of this state or for procuring for another person employment as a teacher in any public school of this state.
Added by Laws 1971, c. 281, § 6-112, eff. July 2, 1971.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-113.1. Materials on effective classroom discipline techniques to be furnished.

The State Department of Education shall provide each local board of education materials dealing with effective classroom discipline techniques as an alternative to the use of corporal punishment.
Added by Laws 1989, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 38, emerg. eff. April 25, 1990.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-115. Information concerning student - Violation.

It shall be unlawful for any teacher to reveal any information concerning a student obtained by the teacher in their capacity as a teacher except as may be required in the performance of the contractual duties of the teacher or as otherwise required by law. The information may be provided to the parent or guardian of the student upon request or as otherwise required by law. Any violation of this section shall upon conviction be considered a misdemeanor.
Added by Laws 1971, c. 281, § 6-115, eff. July 2, 1971. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 430, § 3, eff. July 1, 2003.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-122.4. License for Teach for America Program participant - Exemption from residency program.

A. The State Board of Education shall issue a two-year, nonrenewable license to teach to any person who has been accepted into the Teach for America Program and has on file with the Board a current Oklahoma criminal history record from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as well as a national criminal history record check as defined in Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Upon receipt of the Oklahoma criminal history record, the Board may issue a temporary license which shall be effective until receipt of the national fingerprint-based criminal history record. The person applying for a license shall be responsible for the cost of the criminal history records.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Board of Education shall issue a certificate to teach to any individual who has:
1. Been issued a license pursuant to subsection A of this section;
2. Completed the coursework requirements established for participants of the Teach for America Program;
3. Successfully passed the assessment requirements established by Teach for America for participants of the Teach for America Program; and
4. Submitted an application and payment of the certification fee as prescribed by the Board.
Added by Laws 2008, c. 152, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2008. Amended by Laws 2009, c. 270, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2009.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-122.5. Alternative Placement teaching certificate - Troops to Teachers.

A. The State Board of Education shall grant an Alternative Placement teaching certificate to any person:
1. Who meets the eligibility requirements for the Troops to Teachers program operated by the United States Department of Defense and managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES); and
2. Who meets the requirements set forth in Section 6-122.3 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section.
Added by Laws 2009, c. 89, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-122.6. Temporary teaching certificate.

A. The State Board of Education shall issue a one-year, nonrenewable secondary or middle level certificate to teach to any person who has attained certification by an alternative teacher certification organization as set forth in subsection C of this section and has on file with the Board a current Oklahoma criminal history record from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as well as a national criminal history record check as defined in Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Upon receipt of the Oklahoma criminal history record, the Board may issue a temporary certificate which shall be effective until receipt of the national fingerprint-based criminal history record. The person applying for a certificate shall be responsible for the cost of the criminal history records.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6-195 of this title, teachers issued a certificate pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the requirements of the residency program, but shall participate in the mentoring program provided by the alternative teacher certification organization as set forth in subsection C of this section. Upon successful completion of such mentoring program, the teacher shall be issued a certificate to teach by the State Board of Education after completion of the application and payment of the certification fee as prescribed by the State Board of Education.
C. For purposes of this section, the State Board of Education shall identify an alternative teacher certification organization that was founded with grant funding from the United States Department of Education and that developed the Passport to Teaching program, which is a certification program designed for professionals who want to change careers and become teachers. The program shall require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree, pass a professional teaching knowledge exam, pass a subject area exam, and pass a background check. The organization shall provide candidates with access to workshops, an experienced teacher-advisor, and optional access to comprehensive subject matter refresher courses. The organization shall also provide an intensive mentoring and induction program.
D. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section.
Added by Laws 2009, c. 89, § 2. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 124, § 8, eff. July 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-122.8. Issuance of certificates to teach in the area of mild-moderate or severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Board of Education shall issue a standard certificate in the area of mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education to any individual who has:
1. Earned a bachelor's level college degree from an accredited institution of higher education;
2. Successfully completed the prescribed coursework that may be required for a master's degree in special education from an accredited institution of higher education and any examinations required to obtain a standard certificate in mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education;
3. Successfully completed the appropriate subject area competency examination as required pursuant to Section 6-187 of this title;
4. On file with the State Board of Education a national criminal history record check as required pursuant to Section 5-142 of this title; and
5. Submitted an application and payment of the required certification fee.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual who holds a current standard certificate pursuant to subsection A of this section can satisfy the highly qualified teacher requirement for early childhood education or elementary education by successful completion of the early childhood education or elementary education examinations.
C. To obtain standard certification in early childhood education or elementary education, the individual shall complete an appropriate teacher education program approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.
Added by Laws 2013, c. 336, § 2, eff. July 1, 2013. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 120, § 2, eff. July 1, 2014; Laws 2020, c. 144, § 2, eff. July 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-122.9. Issuance of certificates for individuals with alternative certification to teach in the area of mild-moderate or severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Board of Education shall issue a standard certificate in the area of mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education to any individual certified via an alternative certification route in early childhood education or elementary education who has:
1. Earned a bachelor's level college degree from an accredited institution of higher education;
2. Successfully completed the mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education competency examinations; and
3. Submitted an application and payment of the required certification fee.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and with the exception of paraprofessionals under the Career Development areas, the State Board of Education shall issue a standard certificate in the area of mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education to any individual certified via an alternative certification route in a core academic area, which includes Mathematics, Science, English, Language Arts, History, Foreign Language, Music, Art, Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education, who has:
1. Earned a bachelor's level college degree from an accredited institution of higher education;
2. Successfully completed the mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education competency examinations; and
3. Submitted an application and payment of the required certification fee.
Added by Laws 2014, c. 120, § 3, eff. July 1, 2014. Amended by Laws 2020, c. 144, § 3, eff. July 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-122.10. Issuance of two-year provisional certificate to teach in the area of severe-profound disabilities.

A. The State Board of Education shall issue a two-year provisional certificate in the area of severe-profound disabilities to any individual who has:
1. Obtained a standard certificate in the area of mild-moderate disabilities;
2. Been recommended for a certificate in the area of severe-profound disabilities by a school district board of education; and
3. Submitted an application and payment of the required certification fee.
B. An individual who completes the requirements of subsection A of this section may be eligible to receive a standard certificate in the area of severe-profound disabilities upon completion of:
1. A micro-credentialing program in the area of severe-profound disabilities approved by the State Board of Education. The micro-credentialing program shall include competencies described in Section 6-187 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes; or
2. The subject area competency examination required by Section 6-187 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 2020, c. 144, § 4, eff. July 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-127. Teacher's assistants - Employment - Criteria - Qualifications - Duties - Students to be included in meeting percentage requirement - Bilingual assistants not to qualify as.

A. Beginning with the 1990-91 school year, every school site shall employ a teacher's assistant or use a volunteer for each class in grades kindergarten through two which has a class size of more than twenty (20) students in average daily membership as of September 15 of each year and which is composed of students, at least twenty percent (20%) of whom meet the criteria specified in subsection B of this section; provided, this requirement shall not apply to classes that are not subject to class size limitations pursuant to subsection D of Section 18-113.1 of this title or to pull-out sections for Chapter 1 or to Special Education students. Assistants shall be required as of September 15 of each year. The State Board of Education shall establish regulations that prescribe the qualifications for and duties of teacher assistants in public schools. The State Board of Education shall also establish standards and regulations which provide for a determination of how and when eacher assistants may be used as an appropriate and necessary part of classroom instruction. In addition to any other duties which the Board may deem appropriate, teacher assistants may perform or assist a classroom teacher in the performance of hallroom duty, bus duty, playground duty, lunchroom duty, extracurricular activities involving school functions or any other noninstructional duty the Board may prescribe. Provided, nothing in this section shall construe teacher assistants to be defined as personnel as set out in Section 6-108 of this title or require teacher assistants to possess the certification required for teachers.
B. Any student who meets the criteria established by the State Board which are commensurate with established eligibility criteria for participation in the National School Lunch Act of 1946, 42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq. as amended, shall be included in the percentage necessary to meet the requirement of subsection A of this section for the entitlement to a teacher's assistant for such class.
C. For the purposes of this section, and for Sections 18-113.1 and 18-113.2 of this title, a federally funded bilingual assistant hall not qualify as a teacher's assistant.
Amended by Laws 1982, c. 73, § 1; Laws 1988, c. 207, § 2, operative July 1, 1988; Laws 1989, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 31, emerg. eff. April 25, 1990.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-127A. Public school paraprofessionals.

A. The Oklahoma Legislature recognizes that public school paraprofessionals play an important role in educating school children and in assisting teachers. The Legislature further recognizes the increasing role of public school paraprofessionals in the school system in light of teacher shortages. To achieve the goal of excellence for all persons who have an impact on student learning, it is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature that public school paraprofessionals be afforded career opportunities and economic incentives through a career development program.
B. The State Board of Education shall adopt a program for the career development of public school paraprofessionals. The purpose of the program is to provide to public school paraprofessionals a system of career development which is based upon education and training advancement to encourage excellence among public school paraprofessionals. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require public school paraprofessionals to participate in the career development program.
C. The board of education of a school district shall have authority to extend an existing contract with a public school paraprofessional that provides for the payment of compensation for paraprofessional services rendered for the same time period during which the paraprofessional is also assigned to the school district for practice teaching as a student teacher.
D. For the purposes of this section, a public school paraprofessional is an employee of a school district whose position is either instructional in nature, or who delivers other direct services to students and/or their parents. A public school paraprofessional serves in a position for which a teacher or another professional has the ultimate responsibility for the design, implementation, and evaluation of the individual educational programs or related services and student performance.
Added by Laws 1999, c. 295, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999. Amended by Laws 2017, c. 333, § 2, eff. July 1, 2017.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-130. Minority Teacher Recruitment Center.

Recognizing the future significance and challenge of educating a growing and highly diverse student population in Oklahoma common schools and acknowledging the underrepresentation of minority teachers among the state's professional education staff, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall have authority to establish the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center and staff and administer its work. Upon recommendations and advice from the Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee re-created pursuant to Section 1 of this act, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are hereby directed to work with the State Board of Education, the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation and other agencies, boards and education organizations in the interests of recruiting, retaining and placing minority teachers in the public schools of the State of Oklahoma. Such efforts shall include, but not be limited to:
1. The provision and coordination of support services to teacher training programs in state institutions of higher education, including the funding of grants for campus-based recruitment, retention and placement programs that assist minority students who intend to become teachers;
2. The establishment and development of recruiting programs for potential minority teachers, including pre-collegiate curricular courses that emphasize school success and the opportunity to investigate teaching as a career choice, future teacher clubs and collegiate programs designed to recruit students making transitions from other careers and other areas of study;
3. The hosting of conferences dealing with issues that effect minority teacher recruitment, retention, and placement;
4. The creation of activities in the public and private schools of Oklahoma which enhance the image of the teaching profession; and
5. The creation and development of placement services providing assistance to both minority educators and school districts seeking to hire qualified minority teachers.
Added by Laws 1989, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 2, § 52, emerg. eff. April 25, 1990. Amended by Laws 1992, c. 324, § 9, eff. July 1, 1992; Laws 1995, c. 322, § 27, eff. July 1, 1995; Laws 1997, c. 344, § 1, emerg. eff. June 9, 1997; Laws 1998, c. 139, § 2, eff. July 1, 1998.
NOTE: Laws 1998, c. 20, § 1 repealed by Laws 1998, c. 205, § 2 and Laws 1998, c. 412, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1998.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-131. Teacher recruitment programs.

Subject to the availability of funds, the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, working in cooperation, shall:
1. Develop and implement programs to identify talented students and recruit those students and other persons into the teaching profession. Persons targeted for recruitment may include anyone eligible for lawful employment;
2. Develop and distribute materials that emphasize the importance of the teaching profession and inform individuals about state-funded loan forgiveness and tuition assistance programs;
3. Give priority to developing and implementing recruitment programs to address the areas of teacher shortage identified and the recommendations made in the educator supply-and-demand study as required by Section 6-211 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The Department may use discretionary funds to carry out the provisions of this paragraph;
4. Encourage cooperation between the business community and school districts to develop recruitment programs designed to attract and retain capable teachers, including programs to provide summer employment opportunities for teachers; and
5. Encourage major education associations to cooperate in developing a long-range program promoting teaching as a prestigious, respected and desirable career and to assist in identifying local activities and resources that may be used to promote the teaching profession.
Added by Laws 2017, c. 149, § 1, eff. July 1, 2017.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-132. Oklahoma Teacher Recruitment Revolving Fund.

A. Twenty Dollars ($20.00) of the fee authorized by Section 1 of Enrolled Senate Bill No. 14 of the 1st Session of the 56th Oklahoma Legislature, for Oklahoma License to Educate license plates shall be deposited to the Oklahoma Teacher Recruitment Revolving Fund created in subsection B of this section.
B. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Department of Education to be designated the "Oklahoma Teacher Recruitment Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the State Department of Education pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of this section and any donations, grants and gifts from any public or private source. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the State Department of Education for the purpose of operating teacher recruitment programs. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
Added by Laws 2017, c. 149, § 2, eff. July 1, 2017.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-149.1. Short title - School Protection Act.

Sections 2 through 10 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "School Protection Act".
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 2, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-140, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 75, which was held unconstitutional by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in the case of Douglas v. Cox Retirement Properties, Inc., 2013 OK 37, 302 P.2d 789 (Okla. 2013).
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-149.2. Purpose of act.

The purpose of the School Protection Act is to provide teachers, principals, and other school professionals the tools they need to undertake reasonable actions to maintain order, discipline, and an appropriate educational environment.
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 3, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-141, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 76, which was held unconstitutional by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in the case of Douglas v. Cox Retirement Properties, Inc., 2013 OK 37, 302 P.2d 789 (Okla. 2013).
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-149.3. Definitions.

As used in the School Protection Act:
1. "Education employee" means any individual who is an employee of a school; and
2. "School" means a public school district, governmental entity that employs teachers as defined in Section 1-116 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or private kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school.
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 4, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-142, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 77, which was held unconstitutional by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in the case of Douglas v. Cox Retirement Properties, Inc., 2013 OK 37, 302 P.2d 789 (Okla. 2013).