OK SB212

Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability must establish TeachForwardOK, a two-year pilot program to create new pathways into teaching and increase the state's teacher workforce

Within 30 days of the act's effective date, the Commission must issue a request for proposals to select technical assistance providers to evaluate accredited teacher education programs at Oklahoma higher education institutions

Grants awarded to approved teacher education programs fund participation incentives and technical assistance provider contracts; evaluations assess candidate recruitment, program effectiveness, workforce alignment, and nontraditional recruitment methods

Teacher education programs must submit report responses within 90 days of evaluation, prioritizing innovative approaches such as pathways for high school students to become paraprofessionals, paraprofessionals to become teachers, and bachelor's degree holders to become teachers

One selected program will receive $500,000 to implement its proposed initiatives, and the Commission must submit a findings and recommendations report to the Governor and legislative leadership by December 31, 2027