OK SB1617

Schools identified for improvement for four consecutive years must implement one of five alternative governance arrangements: reopen as charter school, replace staff, contract with private management company, transfer to State Board of Education control, or restructure governance with demonstrated promise of improvement.

School districts subject to these requirements must submit compliance plans to the State Department of Education, with the Department reporting annually to the Senate and House Education Committees beginning December 31, 2010.

Large school districts (average daily membership over 30,000) implementing staff replacement may place non-retained teachers as full-time substitutes for up to two years with same salary and benefits, then non-renew them without Teacher Due Process Act protections if no contract position becomes available.

Creates the Oklahoma School Principal Training Task Force operating until December 31, 2010, with 16 members including legislative leaders, state officials, and higher education representatives to review principal certification requirements and recommend improvements to leadership training.

Task Force shall study current principal certification requirements, leadership skills needed for effective principals, and training programs or models for developing principal leadership, with a final report due December 31, 2010.