A. The district boards of education of this state shall establish professional development programs for the certified teachers and administrators of the district. Programs shall be adopted by each board based upon recommendations of a professional development committee appointed by the board of education for the district. For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, and June 30, 2012, a school district board of education may elect not to adopt and offer a professional development program for certified teachers and administrators of the district. If a school district elects not to adopt and offer a professional development program, the district may expend any monies allocated for professional development for any purpose related to the support and maintenance of the school district as determined by the board of education of the school district.
B. Each professional development committee shall include classroom teachers, administrators, school counselors or licensed mental health providers, and parents, guardians or custodians of children in the school district and shall consult with a higher education faculty. A majority of the members of the professional development committee shall be composed of classroom teachers. The teacher members shall be selected by a designated administrator of the school district from a list of names submitted by the teachers in the school district. The members selected shall be subject to the approval of a majority vote of the teachers in the district.
C. In developing program recommendations, each professional development committee shall annually utilize a data-driven approach to analyze student data and determine district and school professional development needs. The professional development programs adopted shall be directed toward development of competencies and instructional strategies in the core curriculum areas for the following goals:
1. Increasing the academic performance data scores for the district and each school site;
2. Closing achievement gaps among student subgroups;
3. Increasing student achievement as demonstrated on state-mandated tests and the ACT;
4. Increasing high school graduation rates; and
5. Decreasing college remediation rates.
Each program may also include components on classroom management and student discipline strategies, outreach to parents, guardians or custodians of students, special education, and racial and ethnic education, which all personnel defined as teachers in Section 1-116 of this title shall be required to complete on a periodic basis. The State Board of Education shall provide guidelines to assist school districts in developing and implementing racial and ethnic education components into professional development programs.
D. At a minimum of once an academic year a program shall be offered which includes the following:
1. Training on recognition of child abuse and neglect;
2. Recognition of child sexual abuse;
3. Proper reporting of suspected abuse; and
4. Available resources.
E. One time per year, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, training in the area of autism shall be offered and all resident teachers of students in early childhood programs through grade three shall be required to complete the autism training during the resident year and at least one time every three (3) years thereafter. All other teachers and education support professionals of students in early childhood programs through grade three shall be required to complete the autism training at least one time every three (3) years. The autism training shall include a minimum awareness of the characteristics of autistic children, resources available and an introduction to positive behavior supports to challenging behavior. Each adopted program shall allow school counselors to receive at least one-third (1/3) of the hours or credit required each year through programs or courses specifically designed for school counselors.
Districts are authorized to utilize any means for professional development that is not prohibited by law including, but not limited to, professional development provided by the district, any state agency, institution of higher education, or any private entity.
F. One time per year, beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, a dyslexia awareness program shall be offered. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the program shall include information and training in dysgraphia. At a minimum, the program shall include:
1. Training in awareness of dyslexia characteristics in students;
2. Training in effective classroom instruction to meet the needs of students with dyslexia; and
3. Available dyslexia resources for teachers, students and parents.
G. Except as otherwise provided for in this subsection, each certified teacher in this state shall be required by the district board of education to meet the professional development requirements established by the board, or established through the negotiation process. Except as otherwise provided for in this subsection, the professional development requirements established by each board of education shall require every teacher to annually complete a minimum number of the total number of points required to maintain employment. Failure of any teacher to meet district board of education professional development requirements may be grounds for nonrenewal of such teacher's contract by the board. Such failure may also be grounds for nonconsideration of salary increments affecting the teacher. For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, and June 30, 2012, a certified teacher shall not be required to complete any points of the total number of professional development points required. Provided, a teacher may elect to complete some or all of the minimum number of points required for the two (2) fiscal years and any points completed shall be counted toward the total number of points required to maintain employment. If a teacher does not complete some or all of the minimum number of points required for one (1) or both fiscal years, the total number of points required to maintain employment shall be adjusted and reduced by the number of points not completed.
H. Each district shall annually submit a report to the State Department of Education on the district level professional development needs, activities completed, expenditures, and results achieved for each school year by each goal as provided in subsection C of this section. If a school district elects not to adopt and offer a professional development program as provided for in subsection A of this section, the district shall not be required to submit an annual report as required pursuant to this subsection but shall report to the State Department of Education its election not to offer a program and all professional development activities completed by teachers and administrators of the school district.
I. Subject to the availability of funds, the Department shall develop an online system for reporting as required in subsection H of this section. The Department shall also make such information available on its website.
Added by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 15, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 1996, c. 350, § 1, eff. July 1, 1996; Laws 1997, c. 349, § 5, eff. July 1, 1997; Laws 1998, c. 5, § 23, emerg. eff. March 4, 1998; Laws 2000, c. 289, § 2, eff. July 1, 2000; Laws 2003, c. 295, § 2, eff. July 1, 2003; Laws 2005, c. 127, § 1, eff. July 1, 2005; Laws 2006, c. 227, § 3, eff. July 1, 2006; Laws 2007, c. 1, § 69, emerg. eff. Feb. 22, 2007; Laws 2007, c. 52, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2007; Laws 2008, c. 399, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2008; Laws 2010, c. 457, § 3; Laws 2011, c. 1, § 41, emerg. eff. March 18, 2011; Laws 2013, c. 83, § 10, eff. July 1, 2013; Laws 2014, c. 124, § 19, eff. July 1, 2014; Laws 2015, c. 246, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2015; Laws 2019, c. 16, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2019; Laws 2022, c. 211, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2022.
NOTE: Laws 1997, c. 342, § 1 repealed by Laws 1998, c. 5, § 29, emerg. eff. March 4, 1998. Laws 2006, c. 192, § 1 repealed by Laws 2007, c. 1, § 70, emerg. eff. Feb. 22, 2007. Laws 2006, c. 278, § 3 repealed by Laws 2007, c. 1, § 71, emerg. eff. Feb. 22, 2007. Laws 2010, c. 455, § 1 repealed by Laws 2011, c. 1, § 42, emerg. eff. March 18, 2011.
NOTE: Laws 1996, c. 350, § 1 superseded Section 7 of Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1100 of the 2nd Session of the 45th Oklahoma Legislature, which was vetoed by the Governor.
Structure Oklahoma Statutes
§70-1-101. Oklahoma School Code.
§70-1-103. Act to be liberally construed.
§70-1-104. Act not to repeal or modify tax laws unless specifically provided.
§70-1-106. Public schools - Definition - What included.
§70-1-107. Educational services - Enumeration.
§70-1-107.1. Technology - Generally defined for educational and governmental purposes.
§70-1-108. School district - Definition.
§70-1-109.1. Optional Extended School Year Program.
§70-1-111. School day - Six hours - Exceptions.
§70-1-112. School taught on Saturday.
§70-1-113. School district residency.
§70-1-114.1. Foreign exchange students - Guidelines for acceptance.
§70-1-114.2. Operation as grantee of a federal Head Start program - Calculation of state aid.
§70-1-115. Public school system – Administration.
§70-1-116. Positions in school system - Definitions.
§70-1-116.1. Teaching principal - Amount of time in classroom.
§70-1-116.2. Application of medicine or sunscreen to students - Vaccinations.
§70-1-117. General fund - Capital and noncapital expenditures.
§70-1-118. Building and operations fund - Definition.
§70-1-118.1. Building fund – Technology center school districts.
§70-1-119. Sinking fund - Definition.
§70-1-121. Conflicting provisions.
§70-1-122. Contributions to Public School Classroom Support Revolving Fund – Tax forms.
§70-1-123. Public School Classroom Support Revolving Fund.
§70-1-124. Per-pupil expenditure defined - Expenditure categories.
§70-1-125. Restrooms in public schools.
§70-2-113. Campaign committee organization statements.
§70-2-114. School district political committee organization statements.
§70-2-115. Contributions and expenditures reports.
§70-2-116. Organization statements and contribution and expenditure reports - Public records.
§70-2-117. Financial interest statements.
§70-2-118. Financial interest statements - Public records.
§70-3-101. State Board of Education - Members - Travel expenses.
§70-3-104. State Board of Education - Powers and duties.
§70-3-104.3. Requirements for compliance with quality standards - Loss or denial of accreditation.
§70-3-104.4. Standards for accreditation.
§70-3-104.7. Day treatment programs - Standards for on-site educational services.
§70-3-104.8. Contracts with educators.
§70-3-104.9. Report listing wage, salary, benefit, job class changes.
§70-3-104.10. Oklahoma Imagination Library Program.
§70-3-104.11. Imagination Library Revolving Fund.
§70-3-106. Office - Books pertaining to office - Salary of Superintendent.
§70-3-107. Administrative and executive duties.
§70-3-107.1. State Superintendent of Public Instruction – Powers and duties.
§70-3-109. Curriculum Materials Revolving Fund.
§70-3-110.1. Allocation of funds for adult education.
§70-3-115. School facility improvement program - Allocations from appropriations.
§70-3-116.1. Educational Accountability Reform Act - Short title.
§70-3-116.2. Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability.
§70-3-116.3. Technical corrections - References in statutes.
§70-3-116.4. Transfer of authority.
§70-3-116.5. Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability – Report on educational system.
§70-3-116.6. Pilot program for mentor teacher training.
§70-3-117. Office of Educational Quality and Accountability.
§70-3-117.1. Short title - School Finance Review Commission Act.
§70-3-117.2. School Finance Review Commission – Creation.
§70-3-117.3. School Finance Review Commission – Duties.
§70-3-118. Secretary of Education - Powers, duties and responsibilities.
§70-3-118.1. Budget and operations performance reviews.
§70-3-119. Allocation of funds for school lunch programs.
§70-3-120. Board approval of programs using state funds.
§70-3-121. Apportionment of certain administrative and support function funds.
§70-3-122. Funding for education of children with visual impairments.
§70-3-123. Allocation of funds for Oklahoma Education 2000 Challenge.
§70-3-123.1. Review of legislative provisions for duplication or conflict in mandates.
§70-3-127. Approval by State Board of Education.
§70-3-129.3. Public school, zone, or district empowerment plan.
§70-3-129.4. Empowerment plan considerations.
§70-3-129.5. Acceptance of gifts, grants, and donations.
§70-3-129.6. Submitting approved empowerment plan to the State Board of Education.
§70-3-129.7. Waiving statutes or rules.
§70-3-129.8. Waiver of provisions in collective bargaining agreement.
§70-3-129.9. Performance review.
§70-3-129.11. School District Empowerment Program.
§70-3-134. Applications – Presubmission training – Contents - Procedures.
§70-3-135. Sponsor to contract with governing board – Contents of contract.
§70-3-136. Rules and standards to be incorporated into charter.
§70-3-137. Duration of contract--Performance report--Renewal--Termination--School closure.
§70-3-138. Reprisal against school employee seeking to establish charter school.
§70-3-139. Status of teacher returning to public school from charter school.
§70-3-140. Student eligibility – Districts – Preferences - Discrimination.
§70-3-142. Funding - Charter School Closure Reimbursement Revolving Fund.
§70-3-144. Charter Schools Incentive Fund.
§70-3-145.1. Statewide Virtual Charter School Board.
§70-3-145.2. Meetings - Reimbursement.
§70-3-145.3. Powers and duties.
§70-3-145.4. Authority to promulgate rules.
§70-3-145.5. Students outside the district - Succession to contractual rights.
§70-3-145.6. Full time virtual education site - Performance data of nonresidents.
§70-3-145.7. Statewide Virtual Charter School Board Revolving Fund.
§70-3-145.8. Records of attendance – Orientation - Truancy.
§70-3-151.1. Adjusted cohort graduation rate - Academic performance index.
§70-3-151.2. Graduation rate growth targets - Failing schools.
§70-3-153. Reporting of plans to State Board - Exemptions.
§70-3-154. Review of plans by regional accreditation officer.
§70-3-155. Study and assessment of information and reports – Collection techniques.
§70-3-156. Local school district assessment – Report submission.
§70-3-162. Enrollment - Collection of information regarding participation in certain programs.
§70-3-167. Exemption from participation in advisory council or committee.
§70-3-168. Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013.
§70-3-169. Disclosure of mental health treatment of students - Accommodations plan.
§70-3-171. Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education Act.
§70-3-173. Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education.
§70-4-101. Abolition of office of county superintendent of schools.
§70-4-104. School district boundaries - Duties of county clerk.
§70-4-201. Transfer and preservation of records - Additional salaries.
§70-5-101. School districts - Designation.
§70-5-102. Independent school districts.
§70-5-103. Elementary school districts.
§70-5-103.1. Elementary school districts - Prohibition on certain grades.
§70-5-104. Designation of district retained on records - When.
§70-5-105. School district - Body corporate - Powers.
§70-5-106. Governing body of school district.
§70-5-106A. Employment contracts with more than one school district.
§70-5-107A. Boards of education of school districts - Membership - Election procedure.
§70-5-107B. Expansion of a board of education - Chair and other positions.
§70-5-110.1. Board members - Continuing education requirement.
§70-5-113. Relation by affinity or consanguinity - Prohibition.
§70-5-115. Local treasurer - Surety bond - Duties - Cash and investment ledgers.
§70-5-116a. Superintendent and officers – Employment requirement – Surety bonds.
§70-5-117.1. Cooperative contracts.
§70-5-117.2. Additional authorization.
§70-5-117.3. Average daily attendance.
§70-5-117.4. School improvement plan.
§70-5-117.5. Employee health insurance plans.
§70-5-117.6. Regulation of dogs running at large.
§70-5-117b. Interlocal cooperative agreements.
§70-5-119. Officers of board - Encumbrance clerk and minute clerk - Bond.
§70-5-120. President - Duties.
§70-5-121. Vice president - Duties.
§70-5-123. Noncontract expenditures – Limitations.
§70-5-124. Board contracts prohibited - Exceptions.
§70-5-125. Liability for voting for false claim.
§70-5-126. Refusal, failure or neglect of board - Elector may institute action.
§70-5-127.1. Release of audit to public.
§70-5-128. Annual statistical and financial reports.
§70-5-128.2. Electronic transmission of reports, plans or grants.
§70-5-129.1. Funds exempted from provisions of Section 5-129 of this title.
§70-5-129.3. Short title - Patriotic Access to Students in Schools Act (PASS Act).
§70-5-130. School buildings and property - Permission to use for other purposes.
§70-5-131. Educational courses - Buildings and equipment.
§70-5-131.1. Sewage disposal systems.
§70-5-131.2. Energy conservation contracts.
§70-5-132.1. Certain persons 21 years of age or older may be allowed to complete high school.
§70-5-133. Apportionment of taxes each year.
§70-5-134. Estimates - Emergency and building levies - Elections.
§70-5-135. System of accounting.
§70-5-135.4. School District Transparency Act.
§70-5-136.1. Certificates of indebtedness – Curing of delinquencies by withholding of State Aid.
§70-5-137. School nurses - Increments.
§70-5-138. School employees and superintendent - Residence.
§70-5-140. Additional salary or wages in lieu of insurance or similar benefits.
§70-5-141.2. Incentive pay plans.
§70-5-141.4. Incentive pay plan - Student and school growth in achievement.
§70-5-142. National criminal history record check - Employment with a school.
§70-5-146.1. School employees - Notification of suspected gang activity.
§70-5-149. School safety drills.
§70-5-149.1. Civil actions against former students – Costs and attorney fees.
§70-5-149.2. Handgun licenses for school personnel – Training - Immunity.
§70-5-149.3. Designated lactation rooms.
§70-5-152. Applicability optional.
§70-5-154. Approval of budget - Estimates of revenues and expenditures.
§70-5-156. Protests - Right to examine filed budget.
§70-5-157. Expenditures in excess of appropriation - Deficits and surpluses - Violations of law.
§70-5-159. Classification of revenues and expenditures.
§70-5-160. Interaccount and interfund transfers.
§70-5-161. Amendment of budget.
§70-5-170. Transfer of unexpended or unencumbered appropriations.
§70-5-181. Registration of certificates of indebtedness or bonds – Recording of payment.
§70-5-185. When check or warrant due – Enforcement of liability.
§70-5-187. Unencumbered balances – Date for submission of all claims – Notice.
§70-5-189. Second or duplicate check or warrant – Stop payment or affidavit.
§70-5-190. School district treasurer, encumbrance clerk - Training - Continuing education.
§70-6-101. Teachers - Contract.
§70-6-101.2. Consultant services - Contracts with retired administrators - Contract requirements.
§70-6-101.6. Categories of employment contracts.
§70-6-101.6a. Employment contracts - Status of applicant's children.
§70-6-101.6b. Prohibiting disciplinary action against teachers for reporting violations of law.
§70-6-101.8. Restrictions on attorneys involved in due process hearings.
§70-6-101.11. Copy of evaluation to person evaluated - Disclosure at hearings - Confidentiality.
§70-6-101.13. Full-time certified administrators - Dismissal or nonreemployment - Due process.
§70-6-101.14. Administrators - Suspension.
§70-6-101.15. Administrators - Conviction of felony - Criminal sexual activity or sexual misconduct.
§70-6-101.16. Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System.
§70-6-101.20. Teacher Due Process Act of 1990 - Short title.
§70-6-101.21. Standards of performance and conduct for teachers.
§70-6-101.22. Grounds for dismissal or nonreemployment.
§70-6-101.23. Application of act - Exemptions.
§70-6-101.25. Recommendation of dismissal or not to reemploy to be in writing - Basis or grounds.
§70-6-101.26. Mailing or delivery of recommendation to teacher - Teacher hearing.
§70-6-101.28. Applicable procedure.
§70-6-101.29. Immediate suspension - Compensation and benefits - Hearing for dismissal.
§70-6-101.31. Determining retention or reassignment of teachers and administrators.
§70-6-101.32. Implementation of rules.
§70-6-101.40. Suspension, demotion, termination or nonreemployment for cause of support employee.
§70-6-101.42. Wage increase for 2018-19 school year.
§70-6-101.43. Adoption and publication of disciplinary policy for support personnel - Copies.
§70-6-101.44. Adoption of policy prerequisite to disciplinary action.
§70-6-101.45. Reasonable assurance of employment.
§70-6-101.46. Procedure for disciplinary action.
§70-6-104.1. Exhaustion of sick and extended leave - Credit for leave without pay.
§70-6-104.5. Exhausted sick leave - Unused sick leave upon termination.
§70-6-104.6. Leave sharing programs and banks.
§70-6-104.7. National disaster leave.
§70-6-105A. Construction of agreements
§70-6-106. Salary - Twelve monthly payments.
§70-6-106.1. Distribution of Mentor Teacher Stipend funds.
§70-6-106.3. Support employee schedule of payments.
§70-6-108. Certificate of qualifications - Unlawful to teach without.
§70-6-108.1. Expired license or certificate notice - Renewal applications.
§70-6-110. Agents of school authorities - Payment or acceptance of bribes.
§70-6-111. Gratuities or rewards - Unlawful to give.
§70-6-112. Teachers - Gratuities or rewards in connection with employment.
§70-6-113.1. Materials on effective classroom discipline techniques to be furnished.
§70-6-115. Information concerning student - Violation.
§70-6-122.3. See the following versions:
§70-6-122.4. License for Teach for America Program participant - Exemption from residency program.
§70-6-122.5. Alternative Placement teaching certificate - Troops to Teachers.
§70-6-122.6. Temporary teaching certificate.
§70-6-122.11. Issuance of one-year alternative teacher certificate.
§70-6-127A. Public school paraprofessionals.
§70-6-129.1. Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee.
§70-6-130. Minority Teacher Recruitment Center.
§70-6-131. Teacher recruitment programs.
§70-6-132. Oklahoma Teacher Recruitment Revolving Fund.
§70-6-133. Pilot program for new pathways to teacher certification.
§70-6-149.1. Short title - School Protection Act.
§70-6-149.4. False accusations of criminal activity against education employees - Penalties.
§70-6-149.5. Awarding of costs and attorney fees – Expert witness fees.
§70-6-149.6. Insurance indemnification not a waiver of defenses.
§70-6-149.8. Benefits not lost by leaves of absence due to assault or battery.
§70-6-149.9. Act does not limit other laws.
§70-6-154.1. Renewal of Standard Teaching Certificate.
§70-6-181. Legislative declaration - Interpretation of act.
§70-6-185. Competencies and methods to be incorporated into teacher preparation system.
§70-6-186. Criteria for approval and accreditation of teacher education programs.
§70-6-187. See the following versions:
§70-6-187A. Competency examinations - Refund.
§70-6-187B. Teaching Certification Scholarship Program
§70-6-187C. Teaching Certification Scholarship Revolving Fund
§70-6-187D. Promulgation of rules
§70-6-187v1. Competency examinations.
§70-6-187v2. See the following versions:
§70-6-189. Certification system.
§70-6-189.2. School psychologist or psychometrist - Certification.
§70-6-190. Qualifications for teacher employment and certification.
§70-6-190.1. Extension of provisional speech-language certificates.
§70-6-190.2. Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund.
§70-6-192. Professional development - Legislative intent.
§70-6-193. Funding for professional development programs.
§70-6-194. District professional development programs.
§70-6-194.2. Scholarships for attending Great Expectations Summer Institutes for Teachers.
§70-6-195.2. Mathematics professional development programs.
§70-6-196. Review of contracts with professional development centers.
§70-6-197. Persons subject to certification procedures.
§70-6-200. Professional development institutes.
§70-6-204.2. Education Leadership Oklahoma program.
§70-6-204.3. Education Leadership Oklahoma Revolving Fund.
§70-6-204.4. Oklahoma National Board Certification Revolving Fund.
§70-6-204.5. Professional Development Institutes Revolving Fund.
§70-6-207. Oklahoma Mathematics Improvement Program.
§70-6-210. Inner City Schools Rescue program.
§70-6-211. Educator supply-and-demand study.
§70-6-212. Micro-credential program .
§70-7-101. Boundaries - Petition or resolution to change - Election.
§70-7-103. Annexation or disorganization - Assumption of bonded indebtedness.
§70-7-104. Division of property - Debts and obligations.
§70-7-106. Buildings - Rented, moved, or sold.
§70-7-107. Disposition of property.
§70-7-108. Federally owned reservations - Annexations.
§70-7-202. Application of act.
§70-7-203. School Consolidation Assistance Fund.
§70-7-204. Preference for allocations from funds.
§70-7-205. Exceptions to certification requirements - Priority for placement assistance services.
§70-8-101.2. Transfer of student from residential school district.
§70-8-103. Application for transfer - Procedure.
§70-8-103.1. See the following versions:
§70-8-103.2. Extramural athletic competition for transfer student not residing in district.
§70-8-106. School dispensed with - Transfer of pupils - Annexation.
§70-8-113. Transfer to district where parent or legal guardian is employed.
§70-9-101. Transportation provided.
§70-9-101.1. Inspection of transportation equipment - Official inspector.
§70-9-103. Purchase or contract for use of vehicles - Lettering.
§70-9-104. Transportation equipment - Definitions - Construction and maintenance - Colors - Penalty.
§70-9-106. Insurance to pay damages - Actions against school district.
§70-9-108. Additional transportation - Expenses.
§70-9-109. Price list and description of transportation equipment.
§70-9-110. Special Transportation Revolving Fund.
§70-9-112. Lease of equipment.
§70-9-113. Rental value of equipment.
§70-9-114. Sale of units of equipment after lease for one year.
§70-9-116. Space for storage of equipment.
§70-9-117. Expense - Paid from what funds.