Bill > HB2253

This bill establishes a new Data Governance Council to improve teacher certification tracking and quality in Oklahoma. The State Department of Education will develop a coding system for initial teacher certification to track different pathways, including emergency and full-time adjunct certifications. The newly created 13-member council will monitor and evaluate the impact of these certification pathways on educational outcomes, identify key data elements for measuring teacher workforce quality, and establish best practices for data management. Council members will include representatives from higher education, public instruction, educational quality, school boards, administrators, teachers, principals, and university educator preparation programs, appointed by various state officials. The council will meet at least quarterly, with its first meeting scheduled by February 1, 2026, and members will not receive compensation. The council will be subject to open meeting and records laws and will be exempt from dual office-holding restrictions. Importantly, the council aims to improve understanding of teacher certification pathways and their effectiveness in Oklahoma's educational system. The bill will become effective on November 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2253&Session=2600