HB 1377 Summary

• Requires the State Board of Education to issue one-year provisional certificates to teach mild-moderate or severe-profound disabilities to qualified candidates recommended by school districts or Oklahoma accredited institutions of higher education who complete a 150-hour special education boot camp program and pass a national criminal history check.

• Allows provisional certificates to be renewed for two additional one-year periods if the individual completes at least 6 credit hours of prescribed coursework during the previous year in an alternative certification program or master's degree in special education.

• Authorizes the State Board to issue standard certificates in special education to individuals who have completed an alternative certification program or master's degree, passed the state certification examination, completed a national criminal history check, and submitted an application with the prescribed fee.

• Removes specific dates (July 1, 2014) from existing law regarding when teachers must complete certain examinations to become certified in early childhood, elementary, or special education areas.

• Requires special education teachers to be paid a minimum of 5% above the prevailing teacher wage, with additional 5% supplements for teachers in severe-profound disabilities and those with more than 5 consecutive years of service; effective November 1, 2013.