Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 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,

lic 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.