OklahomaOklahoma requires decisions on alternative teacher training applications within 60 days
Oklahoma's law requires the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to review alternative teacher training applications and help prospective teachers find approved programs.
What it does
Oklahoma's Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability must approve or deny teacher training applications within 60 days. Rejected providers get reasons and a chance to fix problems.
Eligible organizations can offer approved alternative teacher training programs. They must have recognized accreditation, an outside review of program quality, or earn it within three years of approval.
People seeking an alternative placement teaching certificate can choose an approved alternative teacher training program as their path to full certification. Education, subject-knowledge, and employment requirements still apply.
Argument forA 60-day decision deadline and public outreach could help training providers plan and help prospective teachers find approved programs.
Argument againstAllowing providers three years to earn accreditation could leave candidates training in programs that later lose approval.
More detail
The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability must approve or deny applications to offer alternative teacher training programs. These duties cover organizations seeking approval to offer alternative teacher training programs in Oklahoma. If it denies an application, the Commission must explain why and give the provider a chance to fix the problems. The Commission must seek information from potential providers, explain how to apply, promote approved programs to prospective teachers, and issue rules. The 60-day decision period starts when the provider submits its application.
Approved providers must hold recognized teacher-training accreditation, an outside review of program quality, or obtain it within three years of approval. Eligible providers include public education agencies, colleges, and private or nonprofit organizations. Accreditation must come from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. The Commission may suspend or revoke approval for unmet requirements, but must first give notice and a period of time to fix the problems. The three-year accreditation deadline runs from the Commission's approval date.
Applicants for an alternative placement teaching certificate can choose an approved alternative teacher preparation program as their path to full certification. Applicants need a recognized bachelor's degree with at least a 2.50 GPA, a listed advanced degree such as a doctorate, or a recognized bachelor's degree with qualifying related work experience. Applicants must meet subject-knowledge requirements and pass the subject-area exam unless the State Board of Education grants an allowed exception. They must have a qualifying public-school job offer or intend to seek teaching work in an accredited Oklahoma public school district. Applicants must declare that they intend to earn full certification through the chosen program within no more than three years.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 11Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/07/2026Became Law
- May 5Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- May 5Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- May 5Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- May 4Referred for enrollment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 4Engrossed measure signed, returned to HouseMajor
- May 4Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 38 Nays: 6Major
- May 4General Order, Considered
- Apr 23Placed on General Order
- Apr 21Reported Do Pass Education committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Education. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Second Reading referred to EducationMinor
- Mar 12First ReadingMinor
- Mar 12Engrossed, signed, to SenatePassed Senate
- Mar 11Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 76 Nays: 17Passed House
- Mar 11General Order
- Mar 3Authored by Senator Seifried (principal Senate author)
- Mar 3CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Education Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Mar 2
- Vote recorded Education Oversight Committee: Do Pass As Amended By Cs. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Common EducationMinor
- Vote recorded Common Education Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Referred to Common EducationMinor
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to Education OversightMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Representative Lepak
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
Education