§ 70-6-189 — Certification system.

A. The certification system required by the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act as part of the new teacher preparation system shall be competency-based. The competencies for certification shall be integrated with competencies specified in Section 6-185 of this title. By July 1, 1996, the State Board of Education shall adopt general competencies for certification, and by January 1, 1997, the Board shall have adopted full competencies and implemented the certification system as required in this act. No higher education courses or credit hours may be specified by the State Board of Education in rules for certification. Nothing in the certification rules adopted by the Board shall prohibit the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education from adopting policies and procedures it deems appropriate for coursework, grade point average, or credit hours for teacher preparation at institutions in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. B. The certification requirements for a school principal not alternatively certified under subsection D of this section shall include not less than: 1. Completion of a standard master's degree; 2. Completion of a program in education administration approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation with an emphasis on curriculum, instruction and building-level leadership skills. The requirement in this paragraph shall not apply to any person who has completed a master's degree program in education that included competencies that are substantially equal to those listed in this paragraph and if the degree was completed prior to July 1, 2005; 3. Any other professional education and requirements as may be fixed by the State Board of Education; 4. A passing score on the subject area competency examination required in Section 6-187 of this title; and 5. A minimum of two (2) years of successful teaching experience in public or private schools accredited by the State Board of Education or by the proper accrediting authority of another state of the United States. C. The certification requirements for a superintendent of schools not alternatively certified under subsection D of this section shall include not less than: 1. Certification as a school principal or completion of the certification requirements for a school principal as set forth in subsection B of this section; 2. Completion of a program in education administration approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation with an emphasis on district-level leadership skills, and which shall include the following competencies: a. instructional leadership, b. organizational leadership, including education finance, education law, and risk management, c. collaborative and community leadership, and d. ethical leadership. The requirement in this paragraph shall not apply to any person who has completed an Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation approved Master's Degree in Education Administration or has completed a program in education that included competencies that are substantially equal to those listed in this paragraph, and if the degree or program was completed between the effective date of this act and July 1, 2005; 3. Any other professional education and requirements as may be fixed by the State Board of Education; 4. A passing score on the subject area competency examination required in Section 6-187 of this title; and 5. A minimum of two (2) years of administrative experience in public or private schools accredited by the State Board of Education or by the proper accrediting authority of another state of the United States. D. 1. The standards for alternative certification for superintendents of schools and principals shall include: a. the completion of a standard master's degree, b. two (2) years of relevant work experience in a supervisory or administrative capacity, c. a passing score on the subject area competency examination required in Section 6-187 of this title, and d. filing with the director of teacher education at an Oklahoma accredited institution of higher education a plan for completing an alternative administrative preparation program within three (3) years. Relevant work experience and coursework may be considered and applied to complete the plan. 2. An alternative certificate for superintendent of schools and principals shall not exceed three (3) years and shall not be renewable. 3. Upon successful completion of an alternative administrative preparation program by a participant, the State Board of Education shall issue a standard certificate for superintendent or principal, as applicable, to the applicant. 4. Any person participating in an alternative certification program for superintendent of schools and principals on the effective date of this act shall be subject to the program requirements in effect prior to the effective date of this act. E. The certification requirements for a superintendent of a technology center school district shall include not less than a standard master's degree, any other professional education requirements as may be fixed by the State Board of Education, and a minimum of four (4) years teaching, supervisory or administrative experience, which may include teaching of full-time adult students, in a technology center school district. A person meeting the requirements set forth in subsection C of this section shall be eligible for a certificate for superintendent of a technology center school district. F. The State Board of Career and Technology Education shall promulgate rules for a certification system specifically for teachers and instructors in the technology center school districts. The system shall be competency-based. The competencies for certification shall include industry-based skills, standards, and certifications. G. Certificates issued by the State Board of Education may be revoked by the State Board of Education for willful violation of any rule of the Board or of any federal or state law or other proper cause but only after sufficient hearing has been given before the Board. H. Teaching in a Head Start program or programs shall be used for renewal of a standard teaching certificate.

Legislative History

Added by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 10, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 360, § 1; Laws 2004, c. 5, § 83, emerg. eff. March 1, 2004; Laws 2005, c. 212, § 1; Laws 2007, c. 110, § 1, eff. July 1, 2007; Laws 2010, c. 213, § 1, emerg. eff. May 6, 2010; Laws 2012, c. 360, § 1; Laws 2014, c. 124, § 14, eff. July 1, 2014; Laws 2018, c. 287, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018; Laws 2020, c. 119, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2020; Laws 2024, c. 92, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2024. NOTE: Laws 2003, c. 228, § 1 repealed by Laws 2004, c. 5, § 84, emerg. eff. March 1, 2004.