OK HB2967

School district boards of education may enter into written contracts with student teachers while they are still completing their certification requirements, as defined in Section 1-116 of Oklahoma law.

Student teachers are prohibited from teaching in classrooms during the ensuing fiscal year until they have completed all certification requirements under Section 6-190; contracts are automatically terminated if certification is not obtained by the first day of the school year.

School districts may commit to paying a stipend or signing bonus to student teachers who have entered into employment contracts, provided the student teacher fulfills the first year of their contract.

Stipends or signing bonuses paid to student teachers are expressly excluded from being considered compensation for purposes of teacher retirement or minimum salary schedule calculations.

The act became effective July 1, 2016, and was declared an emergency measure.