1. A. Beginning July 1, 1997, the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation shall have authority for approval and accreditation of teacher education programs and for assessment of candidates for licensure and certification according to the provisions of the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act. As part of this duty the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation shall:

   1. 1. Include the State Board of Education in the process;
   2. 2. Review and assess approved, accredited and new programs of teacher education; and

   3. 3. Encourage studies and research designed to improve teacher education.

      From July 1, 1995, to July 1, 1997, the State Board of Education shall have the authority to approve and accredit teacher education programs. During such time the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation shall be included in the process. Before adopting any rule pertaining to approval or accreditation of teacher education programs or assessment of candidates for licensure and certification, the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation shall solicit comments from the State Board of Education, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education on the proposed rule. Within forty-five (45) days of the receipt of the proposed rule from the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, the State Board of Education, the State Regents and the State Board of Career and Technology Education shall separately review the proposed rule and return their recommendations to the Commission on the proposed adoption. Each recommendation shall include the rationale for the recommendation. The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation shall accord the recommendations due deliberation in its subsequent consideration of the adoption of each proposed rule. If the action of the Commission on a proposed rule is not consistent with the recommendation made by any of the reviewing entities, within ten (10) days of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation's formal action on the rule, the Commission shall submit a report providing justification for its actions to the Education Oversight Board.

2. B. The State Board of Education, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education shall also have authority to recommend to the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation rules for teacher education program approval and accreditation and rules for teacher assessment. Any such rule recommended shall be considered by the Commission within sixty (60) days of receipt of the rule by the same process provided in subsection A of this section for rules proposed by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.
3. C. Before adopting any rule pertaining to teacher licensure and certification, residency or professional development, the State Board of Education shall solicit comments from the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education on the proposed rule. Within forty-five (45) days of the receipt of a proposed rule from the State Board of Education, the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, the State Regents and the State Board of Career and Technology Education shall separately review the proposed rule and return their recommendations to the Board on the proposed adoption. Each recommendation shall include the rationale for the recommendation. The State Board of Education shall accord the recommendations due deliberation in its subsequent consideration of the adoption of each rule. If the action of the State Board of Education on a proposed rule is not consistent with the recommendation made by any of the reviewing entities, within ten (10) days of the State Board of Education's formal action on the rule, the State Board of Education shall submit a report providing justification for its action to the Education Oversight Board.
4. D. The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education shall have authority to recommend to the State Board of Education rules for adoption in the areas of teacher licensure and certification, residency and professional development. Any such rule recommended shall be considered by the State Board of Education within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the rule by the same process provided in subsection C of this section for rules proposed by the State Board of Education.

Laws 1995, HB 1549, c. 322, § 5, emerg. eff. July 1, 1995; Amended by Laws 2001, HB 1214, c. 33, § 80, emerg. eff. July 1, 2001 (superseded document available).