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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
SENATE BILL 1204 By: Bullard
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to teacher certification; amending 70
O.S. 2021, Section 6 -122.7, which relates to the
issuance of provisional certific ates in certain
areas; removing certain requirements for is suance of
certain provisional certificate in the area of mild -
moderate disabilities, severe -profound disabilities,
or comprehensive special educ ation; modifying
criteria to renew certain provisiona l certificate;
updating statutory reference; providing an effective
date; and declaring an emergency .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 6 -122.7, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 6-122.7. A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
law, the State Board of Education shall issue a one -year provisional
certificate to teach in the area of mild -moderate disabilities,
severe-profound disabilities , or comprehensive special education to
any qualified candidate who has:
1. Earned a bachelor’s level college degree from an accredited
institution of higher education; and
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2. Been recommended for a certificate by a school district
board of education or an accre dited institution of higher education;
3. Satisfactorily completed a one -hundred-fifty-clock-hour
special education program prescribed by the Board; and
4. On file with the Board a national criminal history record
check as required pursuant to Section 5 -142 of this title. The
individual applying for a provisional certificate shall be
responsible for the cost of the national criminal history record
check.
B. The one-year provisional certificate issued pursuant to this
section may be renewed for two (2) a dditional periods of one -year
each upon proof from an accredited institution of higher education
that the individual has successfully completed at least s ix (6)
credit hours of prescribed coursework during the previous year in a
nontraditional route to cer tification program in either mild -
moderate or severe-profound disabilities or t oward a master’s degree
in special education if the criteria provided for in subsection G of
Section 6-187 of this title are met .
C. 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. Been issued one or more provisional certificates pur suant to
this section;
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2. Successfully completed the prescribed coursework of a
nontraditional route to certification program in either mild -
moderate or severe-profound disabilities or a master ’s degree in
special education from an accredited institution of higher education
within three (3) years of issuance of the original provisional
certificate 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 a s required pursuant to Section 6 -187 of this
title; and
4. Submitted an application and payment of the required
certification fee.
D. Notwithstanding any other provision of la w, an individual
who holds a current provisional certificate pursuant to subsection A
or B of this section or a current standard certificate pursuant to
subsection C of this section may satisfy the highly qualified
teacher requirement for early childhood e ducation or elementary
education by successful completion of the early childhoo d education
or elementary education examinations.
E. To obtain standard certification in early childhood
education or elementary education, an individual shall complete an
appropriate teacher education program approved by the Oklahoma
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Commission for Teacher Preparation Commission for Educational
Quality and Accountability .
F. Nothing in this section shall change the requirements an
individual is required to satisfy to be consid ered highly qualified
in a secondary core academic area.
G. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement
the provisions of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2024.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health , or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
59-2-2296 EB 11/14/2023 10:25:06 AM