SECTION 780:20-3-4. Instructors

(a)   Certification on file.

(1)   All CareerTech secondary teachers shall have (on file in the local education agency) an appropriate teaching certificate issued by the Certification Section of the State Department of Education.

(2)   Technology Center Standard Certification for Teachers and Instructors in Technology Centers School Districts, not otherwise certified under paragraphs 210 O.A.C. 20-9-91 (1-4). Consistent with the provisions of 70 O.S. 2011, § 6-189, as amended, to be eligible for consideration for a technology center standard teaching certificate under this provision, an applicant must submit documentation to the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education verifying that the individual has received an associate's college degree (2-year degree) or above, an industry recognized credential for an occupation that includes the subject matter to be taught at the technology center, and appropriate professional development. The State Board of Education, upon recommendation of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, may issue a technology center standard teaching certificate to an applicant who submits a completed application for certification containing the requirements listed herein along with the applicable certification fee, and has on file with the State Department of Education a current criminal history record check. The applicant shall be responsible for the costs of the criminal history record checks. The technology center standard teaching certificate shall be valid only for the subject area(s) aligned to the applicant's degree, credential and/or work experience. For purposes of this provision, the term "industry recognized credential" shall have its ordinary and usual meaning and shall reflect industry-based skills, standards and certifications.

(b)   Administrative responsibility. It shall be the responsibility of school administration to assure that a CareerTech teacher applicant meets CareerTech certification requirements before placing the applicant under contract. Certification requirements are found in the Teacher Certification Guide for School Staff Assignments on the Oklahoma State Department of Education website.

(1)   Occupational division approval. All CareerTech teachers must have the CareerTech certification application approved by the program administrator in the appropriate occupational division.

(2)   Occupational division renewal of certification. All CareerTech teachers must complete the specific occupational division's requirements for CareerTech certification renewal and be approved by the appropriate program administrator.

(c)   Health Careers Education.

(1)   Faculty requirements. Faculty shall hold current credentials as a licensed, certified and/or registered health care professional and must meet the requirements of the local education agency, Health Careers Education Division, and the respective accrediting agency.

(A)   Technology Centers: High School Health Careers Programs. Faculty holding a baccalaureate degree will be required to have additional coursework specific to Career and Technology teacher education. These requirements will be posted on the Health Careers Education website. Faculty shall have a degree plan on file with the Health Careers Education division and provide documentation in the form of transcripts demonstrating yearly progress toward obtaining required coursework.

(B)   Technology Centers: Adult Only Health Careers Programs. Faculty shall hold a minimum of an Associates' degree or be on a degree plan making yearly progress toward completion. State and national accreditation standards may indicate additional faculty requirements towards advanced degrees. Faculty hired before 2010 will be exempt from this rule.

(2)   On-file applications. Faculty shall have an application on file in the Health Careers Education office, including a Statement of Qualifications form, all current transcripts and, a copy of professional credential or credential verification, and, if appropriate, current teaching certificate or application for teaching certificate.

(3)   Clinical experience. Faculty must have a minimum of two years' work experience in a clinical setting within the last five years prior to their first teaching experience. The Health Careers Education Program Manager must approve any variations.

(d)   Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Faculty requirements for Teachers Teaching Math and/or Science Academic Courses. Must meet the requirements of the Oklahoma State Department of Education for that specific academic course/area. All related courses must meet the Oklahoma State Department of Education and/or ODCTE requirements for the course/area.

(e)   Professional development. New instructors shall participate in preservice professional development activities as required by the appropriate divisions. All secondary and full-time adult CareerTech instructors and staff shall participate in professional inservice as required by the appropriate divisions, including summer conference and mid-year activities.

[Source: Amended at 14 Ok Reg 2030, eff 5-27-97; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 3212, eff 7-12-99; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3292, eff 7-26-01; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 2907, eff 7-11-04; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 2911, eff 7-1-06; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 2008, eff 7-1-10; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1501, eff 7-1-12; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 2329, eff 9-11-15; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1939, eff 9-11-16; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 2159, eff 9-11-17; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 2201, eff 9-14-18; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 17, eff 9-15-18 (emergency); Amended at 36 Ok Reg 2028, eff 9-13-19]