reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-149.4. False accusations of criminal activity against education employees - Penalties.

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who acts with specific intent in making a false accusation of criminal activity against an education employee to law enforcement authorities or school district officials, or both, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, punished by a fine of not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).
B. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any student between seven (7) years of age and seventeen (17) years of age who acts with specific intent in making a false accusation of criminal activity against an education employee to law enforcement authorities or school district officials, or both, shall, upon conviction, at the discretion of the court, be subject to any of the following:
1. Community service of a type and for a period of time to be determined by the court; or
2. Any other sanction as the court in its discretion may deem appropriate.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to statements regarding individuals elected or appointed to an educational entity.
D. This section is in addition to and does not limit the civil or criminal liability of a person who makes false statements alleging criminal activity by another.
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 5, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-143, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 78, which was held unconstitutional by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in the case of Douglas v. Cox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 › §70-6-149.5. Awarding of costs and attorney fees – Expert witness fees.

A. In any civil action or proceeding against a school or an education employee, the court may award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party. In any civil action or proceeding by or between any education employee and a school or other education employee, the provisions of this section shall not apply.
B. Expert witness fees may be included as part of the costs awarded under this section.
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 6, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-144, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 79, which was held unconstitutional by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in the case of Douglas v. Cox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 › §70-6-149.6. Insurance indemnification not a waiver of defenses.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the existence of any policy of insurance indemnifying a school or an education employee against liability for damages is not a waiver of any defense otherwise available to the educational entity or its employees in the defense of the claim.
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 7, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-145, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 80, 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 › §70-6-149.7. Student assault or acts reasonably causing injury to education employees or volunteers - Penalties - Education employee immunity.

A. No student enrolled in a school shall assault, attempt to cause physical bodily injury, or act in a manner that could reasonably cause bodily injury to an education employee or a person who is volunteering for the school. Any student in grades six through twelve who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to out-of-school suspension as provided for in Section 24-101.3 of this title. This section shall be in addition to and does not limit the criminal liability of a person who causes or commits an assault, battery, or assault and battery upon a school employee as provided for in Section 650.7 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. No education employee shall be liable for the use of necessary and reasonable force to control and discipline a student during the time the student is in attendance at the school or in transit to or from the school, or any other function authorized by the school district.
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 8, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013. Amended by Laws 2015, c. 135, § 1.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-146, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 81, 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 › §70-6-149.8. Benefits not lost by leaves of absence due to assault or battery.

An education employee who is injured as a result of an assault or battery upon the person of the employee while the employee is in the performance of any duties as an education employee shall be entitled to a leave of absence from employment with the school without a loss of leave benefits.
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 9, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-147, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 82, 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 › §70-6-149.9. Act does not limit other laws.

The School Protection Act shall be in addition to and shall not limit or amend The Governmental Tort Claims Act or any other applicable law.
Added by Laws 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 7, § 10, emerg. eff. Sept. 10, 2013.
NOTE: Text formerly resided under repealed Title 70, § 6-148, which was derived from Laws 2009, c. 228, § 83, 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 › §70-6-154.1. Renewal of Standard Teaching Certificate.

A. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules by which a person who holds a valid Oklahoma Standard Teaching Certificate may satisfy requirements for renewal of the Standard Teaching Certificate by completing staff development programs, conferences and seminars in lieu of teaching experience or higher education credits required by the State Board of Education for certificate renewal. Only programs, conferences and seminars recognized for staff development credit by an Oklahoma public school district at the time the teacher attends the program, conference or seminar may be used to fulfill requirements under this section. The State Board of Education shall not require more staff development credit to be earned for certificate renewal than the Board requires teachers and administrators to earn pursuant to Section 6-158 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. District boards of education may charge a reasonable fee for a holder of a valid Oklahoma Standard Teaching Certificate who is not employed as a teacher or administrator in an Oklahoma public school to attend district-sponsored staff development programs or seminars.
Added by Laws 1993, c. 350, § 2, emerg. eff. June 10, 1993.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-181. Legislative declaration - Interpretation of act.

The Legislature, recognizing its obligation to the children of this state to ensure their opportunity to receive an excellent education, and recognizing that the single most important factor affecting the quality of education is the quality of the individual teacher in the classroom, hereby calls for the development, implementation and administration of a new competency-based teacher preparation system in Oklahoma.
It is the intent of the Legislature that this act shall be in addition to existing laws governing teachers, and nothing herein shall be construed as repealing or amending any protection to teachers prescribed, or as removing or diminishing any existing power, authority or responsibility of the local boards of education and the State Board of Education not in conflict with the provisions of this act. Nondegreed vocational teachers and school nurses certified under rules promulgated by the State Board of Education shall be exempt from the provisions of this act, except for those provisions concerning professional development programs.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 308, § 1, eff. June 1, 1992. Amended by Laws 1994, c. 224, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1995, c. 322, § 2, eff. July 1, 1995. Renumbered from § 6-171 of this title by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 34, eff. July 1, 1995.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-187A. Competency examinations - Refund.

If a company that provides competency examinations within this state requires payment from a teacher candidate for an examination prior to the release of the previous competency examination results for that candidate, it shall be required to provide a full refund to the teacher candidate in the event he or she successfully passes the previous examination.
Added by Laws 2013, c. 141, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-187B. Teaching Certification Scholarship Program

A. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability shall establish the Teaching Certification Scholarship Program. The purpose of the program shall be to provide qualifying teacher candidates who are seeking certification with a scholarship toward the cost of competency examinations required by Section 6-187 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, subject to the availability of funds.
B. The Commission shall establish eligibility criteria for the Teaching Certification Scholarship Program.
C. Scholarships granted pursuant to this section shall be limited to one per teacher candidate.
D. A teacher candidate who accepts a scholarship shall be required to submit to the Commission a declaration to teach for a minimum of one (1) year in an accredited school district in Oklahoma. If the teacher candidate does not teach at a school district in Oklahoma upon achieving certification, he or she shall be required to reimburse the Commission for the full amount awarded.
Added by Laws 2016, c.17, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2017.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-187C. Teaching Certification Scholarship Revolving Fund

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability to be designated the "Teaching Certification Scholarship 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 Educational Quality and Accountability from the Legislature 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 Office of Educational Quality and Accountability for the purpose of implementing the Teaching Certification Scholarship Program. 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 2016, c. 17, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2017.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-189.2. School psychologist or psychometrist - Certification.

A. Any person seeking certification as a school psychologist or school psychometrist shall be exempt from the requirement to successfully complete the professional education portion of the competency examination required pursuant to Sections 6-187 and 6-190 of this title.
B. Any person certified as a school psychologist or school psychometrist pursuant to a substitution or exemption as provided in this section shall be required to complete all portions of the competency examination as required pursuant to Sections 6-187 and 6-190 of this title if such person seeks to add certification in another subject in the future.
C. The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section.
Added by Laws 2010, c. 184, § 1, eff. July 1, 2010. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 124, § 16, eff. July 1, 2014; Laws 2022, c. 220, § 5, emerg. eff. May 5, 2022.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-190.1. Extension of provisional speech-language certificates.

Individuals who held a provisional certificate during the 1998-1999 school year in Speech-Language Pathology shall be granted an extension of the provisional certificate by the State Board of Education. On and after July 1, 2005, provisional certificates may be renewed on an annual basis, provided the individual documents admission to and progress toward completion of the relevant master’s degree program.
Added by Laws 1999, c. 311, § 3, emerg. eff. June 4, 1999. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 434, § 10.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-190.2. Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund.

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Department of Education to be designated the "Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund". The revolving fund shall be a continuing fund, without legislative appropriation, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall be under the control and management of the State Department of Education. Expenditures from the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund shall be budgeted and expended as provided for in subsection B of this section.
B. The State Department of Education shall utilize the funds for the program outlined in Section 6-190 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Funding shall go toward advanced, lead, and master certificate holders on a first-come, first-served basis until the cash is exhausted for the school year. Funds from the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund shall serve as a state match to local dollars each school district contributes to its advanced, lead, and master teachers as provided in Section 713 of Title 3A of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 2022, c. 359, § 2, eff. July 1, 2022.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-191. Revolving fund.

Until July 1, 1998, there is created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Board of Education, to be designated the "Teachers' Curriculum Examination Revolving Fund". The fund shall consist of curriculum examination fees paid to the Board pursuant to statutory authority. The revolving fund shall be a continuing fund not subject to fiscal year limitations and shall be under the control and management of the administrative authority of the State Board of Education. Expenditures from said fund shall be made to maintain the curriculum examination process as set out in this act. Warrants for expenditure shall be drawn by the State Treasurer on claims signed by an authorized employee or employees of the State Board of Education and approved by the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
On July 1, 1997, the State Board of Education shall transfer any unencumbered funds in the Teachers' Curriculum Examination Revolving Fund to the Teachers' Competency Examination Revolving Fund. Any funds which are unexpended on January 1, 1998, shall be transferred to the Teachers' Competency Examination Revolving Fund. On July 1, 1997, there shall be created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, to be designated the "Teachers' Competency Examination Revolving Fund". The fund shall consist of all monies received by the Commission from competency examination fees paid pursuant to statutory authority. The revolving fund shall be a continuing fund not subject to fiscal year limitations and shall be under the control and management of the administrative authority of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation. Expenditures from said fund shall be made to maintain the competency examination process set out in the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act. Warrants for expenditure shall be drawn by the State Treasurer on claims signed by an authorized employee or employees of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation and approved by the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
Added by Laws 1980, c. 284, § 13, emerg. eff. June 10, 1980. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 12, eff. July 1, 1995. Renumbered from § 6-160 of this title by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 34, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 344, § 6, emerg. eff. June 9, 1997; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 598.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-192. Professional development - Legislative intent.

A. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Legislature to establish a professional development procedure whereby all teachers in the state continue their education beyond initial certification by the state to ensure that the children of the state are taught by professional educators, fully prepared in their areas of expertise. Furthermore, such professional development procedure shall provide alternative means of education, including one or more of the following: In-service programs, higher education courses, or other alternative means of education designed to help teachers enrich their professional abilities.
B. The professional development procedure shall include digital teaching and learning standards to enhance content delivery to students and improve student achievement. A school district board of education shall require a program for teachers which shall emphasize the importance of digital teaching and learning standards. The program shall be completed at a frequency as determined by the board of education.
Added by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 13, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 124, § 18, eff. July 1, 2014; Laws 2017, c. 5, § 2, eff. July 1, 2017; Laws 2021, c. 103, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021; Laws 2023, c. 15, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-193. Funding for professional development programs.

Each school district shall receive an appropriate amount of funds for the exclusive purpose of professional development. These funds shall be expended for professional development programs within guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education. All funds provided to local school districts shall be provided by and subject to the approval of plans submitted to the State Board of Education by each local school district no later than May 10 of each year. Such funds shall be deposited in a special account within the general fund of the local school district. A list of all expenditures made from such account shall be provided to the professional development committee upon request of the committee chairperson.
Added by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 14, eff. July 1, 1995.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-194.2. Scholarships for attending Great Expectations Summer Institutes for Teachers.

A. Beginning with the 1997-98 school year, the State Board of Education shall award scholarships to public school districts who wish to have teachers and administrators from certain school sites attend the Great Expectations Summer Institutes for Teachers offered by an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. Any school district applying for a scholarship for teachers and administrators from a school site which is currently, or has been, identified as a school in need of improvement pursuant to the provisions of Section 1210.541 of this title for any of the previous three (3) school years, shall be given priority for receipt of such scholarship. Scholarships shall be awarded based on the amount of funds allocated to the State Department of Education for such purpose.
B. The State Board of Education shall develop criteria for scholarship awards and shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the process by which the scholarships shall be awarded.
Added by Laws 1997, c. 335, § 2, eff. July 1, 1997. Amended by Laws 2000, c. 156, § 1, emerg. eff. April 28, 2000; Laws 2013, c. 83, § 11, eff. July 1, 2013.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-194.3. Information, training and resources for school employees to address mental health needs of students.

A. The State Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in consultation with school district superintendents and school district boards of education, shall develop and make available to school districts information, training, and resources to help school employees recognize and address the mental health needs of students. A school district board of education shall require a training program for teachers which shall emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing the mental health needs of students. The program shall be completed the first year a certified teacher is employed by a school district, and then once every fifth academic year.
B. The information made available to school districts shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Information about the services provided by community-based organizations related to mental health, substance abuse, and trauma;
2. Information about the impact trauma and adverse childhood experiences can have on a student's ability to learn;
3. The availability of mental health evaluation and treatment available by telemedicine; and
4. Information about evidence-based strategies for prevention of at-risk behaviors.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 286, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019. Amended by Laws 2021, c. 103, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2021; Laws 2023, c. 15, § 3, eff. July 1, 2023.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-194a. Northeastern Oklahoma State University Great Expectations Summer Institutes for Teachers.

A. Beginning with the 1996-97 school year, the State Board of Education shall award scholarships, on a first-come first-serve basis, to public school districts who wish to have teachers and administrators from certain school sites attend Northeastern Oklahoma State University Great Expectations Summer Institutes for Teachers. Provided, any school district applying for a scholarship for teachers and administrators from a school site which is currently, or has been declared, a high challenge school pursuant to the provisions of subsection B of Section 1210.541 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes for any of the previous three (3) school years, shall be given priority for receipt of such scholarship. Scholarships shall be awarded based on the amount of funds allocated for such purpose.
B. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the process by which the scholarships shall be awarded.
Added by Laws 1996, c. 350, § 2, eff. July 1, 1996.
NOTE: Laws 1996, c. 350, § 2 superseded Section 9 of Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1100 of the 2nd Session of the 45th Oklahoma Legislature which was vetoed by the Governor.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-195. Induction program.

A. As funds are available, the State Department of Education in consultation with the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability shall administer an induction program for teachers which shall be approved by the State Board of Education. Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, each school district shall participate in the induction program. The program shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Guidance to school districts for successful induction programs;
2. Training for school districts to include the selection, function and duties of mentors; and
3. Resources for appropriate professional development, support, mentorship and coaching for the inductee and mentors.
B. The induction program training shall be completed at a frequency as determined by the board of education.
C. The State Board of Education may promulgate rules for administration of the induction program.
Added by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 16, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 403, § 1, eff. July 1, 2001; Laws 2003, c. 434, § 11; Laws 2009, c. 25, § 2, eff. July 1, 2009; Laws 2014, c. 124, § 20, eff. July 1, 2014; Laws 2018, c. 165, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2018; Laws 2023, c. 15, § 4, eff. July 1, 2023.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-195.1. Continuing education for mathematics teachers – Implementation contingency – Verification of expenditure levels.

A. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Legislature to establish a continuing education program whereby teachers employed to teach mathematics may obtain certification in mathematics and teachers certified to teach mathematics in the state may take higher education courses in order to obtain the competencies needed to enable the teacher to successfully complete the subject area examinations and become certified to teach any of the core curriculum mathematics courses recommended by the American College Test. The program shall pay up to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per credit hour up to a maximum of twenty-four (24) credit hours for a teacher to take higher education courses in mathematics. Teachers required to gain certification as provided in Section 6-189.1 of this title shall be given priority in the funding for the continuing education program. The purpose of the program is to improve the knowledge and skills of teachers and to ensure that the children of the state are taught by professional educators, fully prepared in the area of mathematics.
B. Implementation of this section shall be contingent upon the appropriation of state funds by the Legislature for the specific purpose of implementing this section. Nothing in this section shall prevent the State Board of Education or a school district board of education from utilizing private, local, or federal funds to implement this section.
C. Implementation of this section shall be delayed until the current expenditure per pupil in average daily attendance in public elementary and secondary schools in unadjusted dollars for the 1998-99 school year or any school year thereafter for Oklahoma, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics annually in the Digest of Education Statistics, reaches at least ninety percent (90%) of the regional average expenditure for that same year, and funds are provided. For purposes of this section, the regional average expenditure shall consist of the current expenditure per pupil in average daily attendance in public elementary and secondary schools in unadjusted dollars for each of the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, averaged together. By January 1 of each year, the State Board of Education shall report whether or not the ninety-percent expenditure level has been reached based on information reported annually in the Digest of Education Statistics by the National Center for Education Statistics. This section shall be implemented on July 1 after the first January 1 report verifies that the ninety-percent expenditure level has been reached and funds have been provided for the specific purposes of this section.
Added by Laws 1999, c. 320, § 45, eff. July 1, 1999. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 201, § 2; Laws 2003, c. 434, § 21.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-195.2. Mathematics professional development programs.

A. Subject to the availability of funds, the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation shall develop and administer mathematics professional development programs which will be provided for any teacher who became certified to teach in elementary education or early childhood education prior to July 1, 2001, and is serving as a teacher in a public school in this state in kindergarten through third grade. The purpose of the professional development program shall be to improve the knowledge and skills of the teachers and to ensure that the elementary grade students of the state are taught by professional educators fully prepared in the area of mathematics.
B. Any professional development program offered to teachers pursuant to the provisions of this section shall:
1. Be scientifically research-based professional development; and
2. Meet state law requirements for professional development administered by the Commission.
C. The professional development program offered to teachers pursuant to the provisions of this section shall address both content skill and methodology, and may contain a technology component.
Added by Laws 2011, c. 274, § 1. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 124, § 21, eff. July 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-196. Review of contracts with professional development centers.

A. The State Board of Education shall review all contracts with the professional development centers used for professional development purposes prior to entering into any contracts with such centers. The State Board of Education shall examine:
1. The purpose of the contract;
2. The expenditure of funds provided for in the previous year by the state to each center provided for in this section;
3. The budgeted salaries of employees and administrators of such centers; and
4. Any other item the State Board of Education determines is necessary.
B. The State Board of Education shall submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature by January 1 of each year, which gives the information specified in subsection A of this section for each individual center and which includes the following:
1. The purpose of the center;
2. The hours and days of operation of the center throughout the year;
3. The number of school districts actually served and the number of actual teachers by school district served;
4. The number and kinds of sponsored professional development activities and dates and any related performance evaluations;
5. All sources of funding and actual full-time-employees (FTE); and
6. Evidence of evaluation of services by users.
Added by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 17, eff. July 1, 1995.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-197. Persons subject to certification procedures.

A. All students graduating from an accredited institution of higher education approved or accredited by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation for the preparation of educational personnel on or after September 1, 1999, and seeking to enter the public education system as a teacher shall be subject to the assessment and certification procedures established in the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act. Except as provided for in subsection B of this section, all students graduating from an accredited institution of higher education prior to September 1, 1999, and seeking to enter the public education system as a teacher shall be subject to the assessment and certification requirements in effect before July 1, 1997.
B. Any person who graduates from an accredited institution of higher education prior to September 1, 1999, and seeks certification or endorsement subsequent to September 1, 1999, to teach a subject area which the teacher was not certified to teach prior to September 1, 1999, following completion of the required higher education shall be required to successfully complete the competency examination for such subject area prior to receiving such certification or endorsement.
Added by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 18, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 124, § 22, eff. July 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-204.1. Definitions.

For purposes of the Education Leadership Oklahoma Act:
1. "Salary bonus" means additional monies granted to eligible teachers as provided for in subsection I of Section 6-204.2 of this title maintaining National Board certification;
2. "Salary increment" means the National Board certification salary category as set forth in Section 3 of this act which is granted to eligible teachers as provided for in subsection I of Section 6-204.2 of this title maintaining National Board certification;
3. "Certification" means National Board certification;
4. "Commission" means the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation;
5. "National Board" means the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;
6. "National Board certification" means National Board certification as provided by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; and
7. "Teacher" means a classroom teacher, counselor, or librarian employed by a public school district on a full-time basis.
Added by Laws 1997, c. 181, § 2, eff. July 1, 1997. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 434, § 22; Laws 2013, c. 394, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-204.3. Education Leadership Oklahoma Revolving Fund.

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to be designated the "Education Leadership Oklahoma Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies appropriated or transferred to the fund by the Legislature. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to provide assistance and scholarships for candidates seeking National Board certification. 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 1997, c. 181, § 4, eff. July 1, 1997. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 304, § 600.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-204.4. Oklahoma National Board Certification Revolving Fund.

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Board of Education to be designated the "Oklahoma National Board Certification Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies appropriated or transferred to the fund by the Legislature. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the State Board of Education to provide an annual bonus for those teachers possessing National Board certification. 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. The State Board of Education shall transfer all funds deposited into the Oklahoma National Board Certification Revolving Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998, to the Education Leadership Oklahoma Revolving Fund, created in Section 6-204.3 of this title, less expenditures and encumbrances as adjusted by transfer on July 1, 1998.
Added by Laws 1997, c. 181, § 5, eff. July 1, 1997. Amended by Laws 1998, c. 350, § 3, emerg. eff. June 5, 1998; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 601.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-204.5. Professional Development Institutes Revolving Fund.

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to be designated the "Professional Development Institutes Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies appropriated or transferred to the fund by the Legislature. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to develop and administer professional development programs for teachers and administrators and training for residency committee members. Expenditures 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 1997, c. 302, § 1, eff. July 1, 1997. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 304, § 602.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-206. Annual bonus for school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, audiologist - Qualifications - Calculation - Increase.

A. Subject to the availability of funds, the State Board of Education shall provide an annual salary bonus in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) no later than January 31 of each year to the following employees of public school districts:
1. Any school psychologist who has been designated as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist by the National School Psychology Certification Board; and
2. Any speech-language pathologist or audiologist who holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.
B. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the provision of the bonus pursuant to this section to include, but not be limited to, a process by which a nationally certified school psychologist, speech-language pathologist and audiologist may verify that:
1. The individual is still employed by a school district;
2. The certification required in subsection A of this section has been attained and has not lapsed; and
3. The individual is licensed to practice in this state.
C. An individual who qualifies for the bonus pursuant to this section and who is employed by a school district on less than a full-time basis, shall receive a pro-rated bonus based on the proportionate equivalency to full-time employment.
D. No school or school district shall be liable for payment of bonuses pursuant to this section. The bonus shall not be included in the calculation of salary for purposes of meeting the district or statutory minimum salary schedule or for purposes of calculating Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma contributions or benefits.
E. The amount of the salary bonus pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be increased to Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000.00) upon implementation of subsection N of Section 6-204.2 of this title.
Added by Laws 2004, c. 311, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2004. Amended by Laws 2008, c. 186, § 3, eff. July 1, 2008.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-206.1. Oklahoma School Psychologist, Speech-Language Pathologist, and Audiologist National Certification Revolving Fund.

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Board of Education to be designated the "Oklahoma School Psychologist, Speech-Language Pathologist, and Audiologist National Certification Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies appropriated or transferred to the fund by the Legislature. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the State Board of Education to provide an annual bonus for individuals meeting the requirements of Section 6-206 of this title. 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 2004, c. 311, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2004. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 304, § 603.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-210. Inner City Schools Rescue program.

A. The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation is authorized to establish the Inner City Schools Rescue program. The purpose of the program shall be to recruit and train certified teachers to work in inner city schools and to provide technical assistance and support to those teachers who participate in the program and become employed in an inner city school.
B. For purposes of this section, an inner city school shall mean a school identified as in need of improvement as determined by the Commission pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act or where ninety-five percent (95%) or more of the students enrolled in the school qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.
C. To fulfill the objectives of the Inner City Schools Rescue program the Commission shall:
1. Inform teachers of the program;
2. Collect and review applications for the program from interested teachers; and
3. Establish an applicant review committee to identify participants for the program.
D. Each year the Commission shall select a certain number of teachers, as determined by the Commission, who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in teaching and to working with at-risk students in the inner city.
E. The Commission shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.
Added by Laws 2009, c. 259, § 1, eff. July 1, 2009. Amended by Laws 2013, c. 83, § 14, eff. July 1, 2013; Laws 2014, c. 124, § 23, eff. July 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-211. Educator supply-and-demand study.

The State Board of Education in cooperation with the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and institutions of higher education shall conduct an educator supply-and-demand study every three (3) years. The study shall identify areas of teacher shortage and make recommendations for addressing the areas of most critical need. The Board shall submit a report outlining the findings to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
Added by Laws 2014, c. 124, § 27, eff. July 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-6-212. Micro-credential program .

A. The State Department of Education in coordination with the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability shall establish a micro-credential program within one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of this act for the purpose of permitting any teacher candidate or teacher who holds a certificate to teach to complete additional coursework and earn micro-credentials in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) endorsement areas including computer science.
B. The State Department of Education and the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability shall convene a working group including pertinent education stakeholders to determine how any micro-credential awarded pursuant to any micro-credential program established pursuant to subsection A of this section will be used and such uses shall include:
1. To award add-on endorsements to teachers in STEM endorsement areas including computer science;
2. In lieu of the subject area competency examination required by Section 6-187 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and
3. To meet the professional development program requirements established in Section 6-194 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
C. Any course offered through a micro-credential program established pursuant to subsection A of this section may be offered in person, online or in a blended format of in-person and online instruction.
Added by Laws 2021, c. 338, § 1, eff. July 1, 2021.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-7-101.1. Mandatory annexation or consolidation - Rules and regulations regarding procedures - Notice to school district involved - Opportunity to appear before State Board of Education - Determination of issue.

A. The State Board of Education shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations regarding the procedures necessary to accomplish mandatory annexation or consolidation, as provided by and within the requirements of the provisions of Sections 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this act, and as otherwise provided by law.
B. In any case where mandatory annexation of a school or school district is recommended by the State Department of Education, the Department shall notify, in writing, the board of education of the school district involved. Upon receipt of the notification, the school district board shall have fifteen (15) days to request an opportunity to appear before the State Board of Education. If the school district board fails to request an opportunity to appear, the State Board shall proceed without further notice or delay, to conclude the matter. If an opportunity to appear is requested by the school district board, the State Board shall decide the issues after hearing from representatives of the school or school district and the State Department and shall make a final determination on the recommendation of the Department.
Added by Laws 1989, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 12, emerg. eff. April 25, 1990.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-7-103. Annexation or disorganization - Assumption of bonded indebtedness.

A. The component parts (or part) of the district annexed, whether the annexation is or was voluntary or mandatory under the provisions of this or any prior act, shall assume their full proportion of all legal bonded indebtedness of the district or districts to which they are or were annexed, and the district or districts to which they are or were annexed shall likewise assume a full proportion of all legal bonded indebtedness of the district annexed, or ratable proportion in ratio to the assessed valuation to the part annexed.
B. Provided, that if the area affected is or has been annexed under the provisions of this article to a school district (hereinafter referred to as the "first" district) having a bonded indebtedness at the time of said annexation, and if at the time of said annexation said area affected is or was not liable for any bonded indebtedness, and if within four (4) calendar months or less after said annexation all or any portion of the territory of the area affected is or has been detached from the first district to become a part of some other school district (hereinafter referred to as the "second" district) then:
1. If the detachment of said territory occurs in any fiscal year after the effective date of this subsection, and before the certification of the budgets and levies of the first district for said fiscal year to the State Auditor and Inspector, neither the said detached territory nor the second district shall have any liability for the payment of any part of the bonded indebtedness of the first district which existed when the area affected was annexed to the first district; or
2. If the detachment of said territory occurs in any fiscal year after the effective date of this subsection, and after the certification of the budgets and levies for said fiscal year of the first district to the State Auditor and Inspector, the said detached territory shall continue to bear its share of the bonded indebtedness of the first district as prescribed by subsection A of this section for the remainder of said fiscal year, but the second district shall not be liable for any part of the bonded indebtedness of the first district which existed at the time of the annexation of the area affected to the first district; and after the beginning of the next succeeding fiscal year neither the said detached territory nor the second district shall have any liability for any of the bonded indebtedness of the first district which existed at the time the area affected was annexed to the first district.
Laws 1971, c. 281, § 7-103, eff. July 2, 1971; Laws 1979, c. 30, § 48, emerg. eff. April 6, 1979.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 70. Schools › §70-7-106. Buildings - Rented, moved, or sold.

No building or appendages thereto of any school district that has been annexed to another school district or districts shall be rented, moved or sold by the board of education of the annexing district or districts without the approval of a majority of the school district electors in the annexed district voting on the proposition, if such building is being used at least once each ninety (90) days for public gatherings. Provided, that the board of education of the annexing district acquiring such building may require persons or groups using such building and appendages to pay the cost of maintenance, including insurance, of such building and appendages.
Laws 1971, c. 281, § 7-106, eff. July 2, 1971.