OK HB2004

Amends Oklahoma Statutes Title 70, Section 6-185 to require teacher preparation programs approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to incorporate specified competencies including excellence in arts and sciences, subject matter knowledge, student talent identification, child development understanding, teaching skills, student interaction abilities, parent/community engagement, teamwork, leadership (for administrators), and classroom management.

Mandates that preservice teacher programs include methods to achieve competencies, including undergraduate study in arts and sciences, subject area majors or concentrations, study of student learning processes, curriculum integration across disciplines, parent/guardian contact training, community involvement experience, and teamwork activities.

Requires teacher candidates to study substance abuse symptoms identification and prevention, mental illness symptoms identification and mental health issues, classroom management skills, and classroom safety and discipline techniques within existing coursework.

Limits teacher education degree programs to a maximum of 124 semester hours over four years, with an exception for programs approved before July 1, 1995, which may continue existing hour requirements without additional hours.

Becomes effective July 1, 2010, with an emergency clause declaring the act takes effect immediately upon passage and approval; requires institutions of higher education to file institution plans with the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation by January 1, 1997.