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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
SENATE BILL 285 By: Kirt
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to teacher certification; amend ing 70
O.S. 2021, Section 6 -122.3, as last amended by
Section 1, Chapter 121, O.S.L. 2022 (7 0 O.S. Supp.
2022, Section 6-122.3), which relates to alternative
teacher certification; updating statutory language;
allowing the State Board of Edu cation to grant
certain exception to licensed mental hea lth
professionals; providing eligibility for except ion;
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 -122.3, as
last amended by Section 1, Chapter 121, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S. Supp.
2022, Section 6-122.3), is amended to read as follows:
Section 6-122.3. A. The State Board of Education shall grant
an alternative placem ent teaching certificate to a person who makes
application to the Board and meets the following criteria:
1. a. holds at least a baccalaureate degree from an
institution whose accreditation is recognized by the
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education a nd has
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attained a retention grade point average of not less
than 2.50 on a 4.0 scale, or
b. has successfully completed a terminal degree, such as
a doctorate of philosophy, a doctorate in education,
professional doctorates, a master of fine arts degree,
or a master of library science degree, from an
institution accredited by a national or regional
accrediting agency which is recognized by the
Secretary of the United States Department of
Education. The Oklah oma State Regents for Higher
Education shall be con sulted to verify other terminal
degrees, or
c. holds at least a baccalaureate degree from an
institution whose accreditation is recognized by the
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and has
qualified work experience in a field that corresponds
to an area of certification as determine d by the State
Board of Education, and
d. in addition to the requirements of subparagraphs a, b ,
and c of this paragraph, has demonstrated competency
or completed a major in a field that corresponds to an
area of specialization for an Elementary-Secondary
Certificate elementary-secondary certificate or a
Secondary Certificate secondary certificate as
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determined by the State Board of Education or a
vocational-technical certificate as recommended by the
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology
Education;
2. Declares the intention to earn standard certificatio n by
means of an alternative placement program in not more than three (3)
years. The State Board of Education shall determine the subject
matter and the number of cl ock or semester hours required for the
professional education component for each person ma king application
for an alternative placement teaching certificate bas ed on the
criteria of paragraph 1 of this subsection.
The State Board of Education shall establ ish a core minimum of
six (6) semester hours or ninety (90) clock hours and a maximum of
eighteen (18) semester hours or two hundred seventy (270) clock
hours for the professional education component.
The requirements set forth in this subsection shall ex clude all
student teaching requirements pursuant to the provisions of
subsection E of this s ection;
3. Has passed the general education and subject area portions
portion of the competency examination required in Section 6 -187 of
this title in the area of special ization for which certification is
sought; and
4. Either presents a document from an accredited public school
district in this state offering employment in the ar ea of
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specialization for which certification is sought on condition that
the person enroll in an alternative placement program approved by
the State Board of Education or declares the intention to seek
employment as a teacher at an accredited public school district in
this state. The certificate granted pursuant to this subsection
shall be considered a “valid certificate of qualification” for the
purposes of Sections 6-107 and 6-108 of this title, and the holder
of the certificate shall be considered an in ductee for the purposes
of Section 6-195 of this title.
B. An alternative placement teachi ng certificate shall be
renewed for not more than a maximum of three (3) years upon
presentation of a document from an accredited public school district
in this state offering renewed employment in the same area of
specialization and a document from a teac her education institution
verifying satisfactory progress in an appropriate alternative
placement program.
C. Persons enrolled in an alternative placement program s hall:
1. Have never been denied admittance to a teacher education
program approved by th e Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education,
the North Central Association of Colleges a nd Schools, and by the
Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation Commission for
Educational Quality and Accountability to offer teacher education
programs, nor have enrolled in and subsequently failed c ourses
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necessary to successfully meet the minimum requirements of the
program, except those persons who hold a cer tificate;
2. Have on file with the director of teacher education at a n
Oklahoma institution of higher education a pl an for meeting standard
certification requirements within three (3) years; and
3. Participate in an in duction program as required in Secti on
6-195 of this title and have the same duties and responsibilities a s
other inductees.
D. The State Board of Educa tion may grant an excepti on to the
requirements for certification and, upon demonstration by an
individual of specific competency in the su bject area of
specialization, may grant a certificate to the individua l. The
State Board may establish other require ments necessary to grant
exceptions.
E. The State Board o f Education, in consultation with the
Commission for Educational Quality and Acco untability, may grant an
exception to the requirement to complete a su bject area examination
for initial certificatio n in a field which does n ot require an
advanced degree pursuant to this section if the candidate has an
advanced degree in a subject that i s substantially comparable to the
content assessed on a subject area e xamination. The degree shall be
from an institution accredited by a nat ional or regional accrediting
agency which is recognized by the Secretary of t he U.S. Department
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of Education. The Commission shall provide the Board with the
necessary information to determine comparability.
F. Student teaching and a prestudent teaching field experience
shall not be required of alternative placement program parti cipants
for standard certification.
G. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules
authorizing adjunct teachers who shall be persons with distin guished
qualifications in their field. Adjunct teachers s hall not be
required to meet standard certifi cation. A person employed as an
adjunct teacher pursuant to this subsection who does not hold a
valid certificate to teach shall not be conside red a teacher as
defined by Section 1-116 of this title.
H. Each teacher education in stitution shall provide the
Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation Commission for
Educational Quality and Accountability an annual report of
information as specified by the C ommission regarding participation
in the alternative placement programs offered by the institution.
I. The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation Commission
shall not accredit, renew the accreditation of, or otherwise approve
any teacher education program of any institution of higher education
in this state that has not implemented alternative pla cement
programs in at least four areas of specialization including
mathematics, science , and a foreign language. Each institution
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shall allow individuals who meet the criteria of subsections A and C
of this section to be:
1. Admitted to an alternative pl acement program without further
qualification; and
2. Offered the opportunity to complete the requirements for
standard certification set forth in subsection A of this section
during the summer preceding and the summer following the first year
of teaching with an alternative placement teaching certificate. Any
person seeking standard certification through an alternative
placement program shall b e permitted to take necessary courses
during regular semesters if offered.
J. The criteria specified in subse ction I of this section can
may be met through a cooperative arrangement entered into by two or
more institutions of higher education.
K. 1. The State Board of Education may grant an exception to
the requirements for certification as a licensed school counselor to
a person who is a licensed mental health professional, as defined by
Section 1-103 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes, provided the
person has completed a training course identified by the State
Department of Education or six (6) semester hours related to school
counseling from an institution accredited by a national or regional
accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the
United States Department of Educ ation.
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2. Any person seeking certification as a sch ool counselor and
who has met the provisions of this subsection shall be exempt from
the professional education portion of the competency examination
required pursuant to Sections 6-187 and 6-190 of this title.
3. The State Board may establish other requi rements necessary
to grant exceptions.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2023.
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.
59-1-1298 EB 1/12/2023 8:14:05 AM