OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Oklahoma has enacted a new law aimed at expanding the ways people can become certified teachers, as state leaders look to strengthen the educator pipeline and address ongoing staffing needs in schools.
House Bill 3076 was signed into law and allows teachers to receive certification through alternative teacher preparation programs. Those programs can be offered by public schools, regional service agencies, and private or nonprofit entities.
“We know Oklahoma needs strong teachers in every classroom, and this bill helps open more doors for qualified individuals who want to answer that call,” Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, said. “By creating additional pathways into the profession while maintaining oversight and accreditation requirements, we are helping schools recruit talented educators and giving future teachers more opportunities to succeed. Programs like this in other states get candidates certified quicker and at less cost, plus their 5-year retention rates are comparable to those of teachers graduating from our colleges of education, without seeing any decline in student performance. Furthermore, some actually work with school districts to fill their specific needs. Thousands of teaching positions have been filled through this process in other states, and I’m hopeful Oklahoma will see the number of emergency certifications decline when this pathway is fully developed.”
Under the law, the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability will oversee the approval process for alternative teacher preparation programs and must approve or deny applicants within 60 days. If an applicant is denied, the commission must provide an opportunity to address deficiencies it identifies.
Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, said the measure is intended to expand access to the profession while keeping standards in place.
Private or nonprofit programs approved under the measure will be required to obtain accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation within three years or risk losing approval.
The law also requires the commission to promote alternative teacher preparation programs to potential educators.
HB 3076 takes effect July 1.
