HB 2125: Education; adjunct teachers; instructional levels; early childhood education programs; authorizing adjunct teachers; effective date; emergency. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended during Senate review to clarify and expand requirements for adjunct teachers, including specific training mandates and restrictions on teaching special education classes. The Senate version adds more detailed language about instructional levels, training enrollment requirements, and completion timelines that were less explicit in the House version.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include more specific training requirements and restrictions for adjunct teachers, particularly regarding special education classes and mandatory training completion.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific language clarifying which instructional levels adjunct teachers may teach, making the scope of permitted teaching more explicit.

New requirement for adjunct teachers in certain programs to enroll in and complete specific training within a defined time period.

RESTRICTIONS

Added prohibition preventing adjunct teachers from teaching special education classes.

ENFORCEMENT

Added language prohibiting adjunct teachers from teaching in certain programs until required training is completed.

TECHNICAL

Changed header from 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' to 'SENATE FLOOR VERSION' and updated page numbering and formatting conventions.

House Committee Substitute → Floor (House) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted from a House Committee Substitute version to a Floor version, with minor text adjustments and reorganization. The substantive policy content regarding adjunct teacher certification requirements remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Header text changed from 'COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE' to 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION' with updated page numbering and formatting.

Minor text reorganization and line breaks throughout the document, with some author name changes (e.g., 'Staires' to 'Sacchieri of the Senate') likely reflecting version tracking.

Page footers and header information were updated to reflect Floor version formatting with bold face notation for committee amendments.

Engrossed → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was substantially rewritten by the Policy Committee, replacing the entire original text with a new version. The substantive policy content regarding adjunct teacher certification requirements appears to remain largely the same, though the formatting and page numbering were updated to reflect the committee substitute version.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope and applicability appear unchanged; this is primarily a procedural revision converting the bill from 'Engrossed' to 'Proposed Policy Committee Substitute' status.

TECHNICAL

Bill title and header information changed from 'ENGROSSED HOUSE' to 'PROPOSED POLICY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE' with updated sponsor attribution and date.

Page numbering and reference numbers were updated from 'ENGR. H. B. NO. 2125' to 'Req. No. 12470' throughout the document.

Minor formatting adjustments in the bill title section, including spacing and line breaks in the summary of provisions.

Introduced → Engrossed · 7 edits · Mar 12, 2025

MODERATE

This bill transitions from a draft Education Reform Act to a focused amendment of Oklahoma's adjunct teacher certification laws. It clarifies the qualifications for alternative placement teaching certificates, sets specific degree and experience requirements, and establishes timeframes for obtaining full certification. The changes aim to standardize how adjunct teachers are certified and ensure they progress toward standard certification within three years.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from a broad education reform act to specifically amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 6-122.3, regarding adjunct teacher certification requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Replaced vague references to 'Education Reform Act of 2025' with specific statutory amendments to 70 O.S. 2021, Section 6-122.3, focusing on adjunct teacher qualifications.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific educational requirements for alternative placement teaching certificates, including minimum GPA of 2.50 or terminal degrees, and work experience corresponding to certification areas.

Established a three-year timeframe for adjunct teachers to earn standard certification through alternative placement programs.

Set specific professional education hour requirements (minimum 6 semester hours or 90 clock hours, maximum 18 semester hours or 270 clock hours) for alternative placement programs.

Added requirements for adjunct teachers to participate in induction programs and maintain the same duties as other inductees.

Created exceptions allowing the State Board of Education to grant certificates based on demonstrated competency without meeting all standard requirements.

TIMELINE

Removed the November 1, 2025 effective date and replaced it with a declaration of emergency, allowing immediate implementation.

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 → House Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify that adjunct teachers are prohibited from teaching certain classes, while also adding provisions for exceptions to certification requirements and subject area examinations. The amendment also updates the document tracking number and adjusts the bill title to reflect these new restrictions and flexibility measures.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include explicit prohibitions on adjunct teachers teaching certain classes, while also creating pathways for exceptions to standard certification requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added language prohibiting adjunct teachers from teaching certain classes, which clarifies limitations on their instructional authority.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions allowing the State Board of Education to grant exceptions to certification requirements based on demonstrated specific competency in a subject area.

Added provisions allowing exceptions to subject area examination requirements for candidates with advanced degrees in substantially comparable subjects.

TECHNICAL

Updated document tracking number from Req. No. 12470 to Req. No. 13104 throughout the document.

Changed bill title from 'PROPOSED POLICY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE' to 'COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 2125' to reflect its current legislative status.

Education; adjunct teachers; instructional levels; early childhood education programs; authorizing adjunct teachers; effective date; emergency.

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