OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA (KOKH) — Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters shared an update on the Oklahoma Department of Education’s (OSDE) new lifetime ban policy for teachers.
The lifetime ban process, which is the first of its kind in the United States, enters lifetime surrenderers into a national database, notifying other states and school systems to prevent future employment.
OSDE stated in a press release that, since its launch just six weeks ago, seven lifetime bans have been issued.
“Ensuring the safety of every student in Oklahoma is our top priority,” said Walters. “We now have the ability to permanently remove dangerous individuals from Oklahoma schools, and we’re using it aggressively. We will not compromise when it comes to student safety.”
According to OSDE the new lifetime bans have included allegations involving rape, sexual misconduct, inappropriate relationships with students, and other serious violations of professional standards.
The national database mentioned in OSDE’s press release was not named, nor were the seven educators who have received a lifetime ban.
“These numbers reflect our unwavering commitment to accountability and to creating a school environment where Oklahoma parents know their children are protected,” Walters said. “This isn’t just a new process, it’s a new era of accountability. Oklahoma is leading the nation in putting student safety first.”
–The Oklahoma State Department of Education has issued lifetime bans on teaching certificates to several former educators.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters says Oklahoma is the first state to issue lifetime bans on teaching certificates.
“We will not allow these individuals back in the classroom in Oklahoma or in any state in the country,” Walters said.
Walters says seven have been issued since this process began 6 weeks ago.
According to OSDE, the bans are for allegations including rape and inappropriate relationships with students.
