A. As used in this section:

1. "Provider" means an eligible entity that seeks or has obtained approval of an alternative teacher preparation program consistent with this section; and

2. "Program" means content provided by a provider that leads toward licensure in a specific content area.

B. The State Board of Education shall identify providers to implement new and innovative pathways toward teacher certification on a pilot program basis. Providers seeking to participate in the pilot program shall submit applications to the State Board of Education.

C. A provider chosen by the State Board of Education to participate in the pilot program shall offer a program that:

1. Provides evidence and history of fiscal solvency, capacity, operation and program effectiveness;

2. Provides evidence of necessary infrastructure to provide accurate, timely and secure data for the purpose of admission, teacher candidate monitoring, testing and certification recommendations;

3. Has policies and procedures in place ensuring the security of teacher candidate records under applicable laws and regulations;

4. Has the instructional capacity or ability to obtain the instructional capacity to provide adequate instruction in accordance with this subsection;

5. Offers an instructional phase that provides intensive preparation before the teacher candidates assume classroom responsibilities;

6. Offers a research-based and results-oriented approach focused on best teaching practices to increase student achievement and growth measured against state academic standards;

7. Provides assessment, supervision and evaluation of teacher candidates to determine their specific needs throughout the program and to support efforts to successfully complete the program;

8. Provides intensive and ongoing professional development opportunities that accelerate a teacher candidate's professional growth, support student learning and provide a workplace orientation, professional staff development and mentoring;

9. Offers peer review focused on standards of professional practice and continuous professional growth; and

10. Provides a process to review a teacher candidate's final competency of required certification content standards that leads to a potential candidate being recommended for teacher certification in accordance with subsection F of this section.

D. The State Board of Education shall ensure that providers approved to participate in the pilot program allow teacher candidates to demonstrate pedagogy and content standard proficiency in school-based programs and through other nontraditional means. Nontraditional means may include but not be limited to previous work experience, teacher experience, educator evaluations, industry-recognized certifications and other essentially equivalent demonstrations.

E. If the State Board of Education determines that a provider fails to meet or is deficient in any of the requirements of this section, it may suspend or revoke the approval of the provider after providing notification of the deficiencies and an opportunity to remedy the deficiencies.

F. A teacher candidate that completes a program offered by an approved provider shall be eligible for certification, provided he or she meets the certification requirements set forth in Section 6-187 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes in the area of specialization for which certification is sought and is recommended for certification by the approved provider.

G. The State Board of Education shall issue a certificate to teach to any person who meets the requirements set forth in this section and who has on file with the Board a current Oklahoma criminal history record check from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as well as a national criminal history record check as defined in Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The person applying for the certificate shall be responsible for the cost of the criminal history records.

H. A provider shall submit a report to the State Department of Education after one (1) year of operation showing the percentage of teacher candidates who have completed the program and who have successfully completed or who have failed the competency examinations for certification and the provider's efforts to help candidates successfully pass the examinations. A provider shall annually submit evidence to the State Department of Education after the pilot year with evidence of the success of the program.

I. The State Board of Education may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.

J. The pilot program created in this section shall end no later than July 1, 2024.

Added by Laws 2019, c. 351, § 1.