Sen. Mark Mann files ‘Emergency to Permanency’ bill to address teacher shortage, increase classroom skills

OKLAHOMA CITY – With Oklahoma continuing to rely on thousands of emergency certifications to counter a shortage of classroom teachers, Sen. Mark Mann has filed legislation to help these individuals move from “emergency to permanency” with grants for additional education, testing, and certification.

Senate Bill 186 would create the “Teacher Certification Emergency to Permanency Revolving Fund.” The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability would administer a grant program to provide emergency certified educators with funding to help earn alternative teaching certificates, and ultimately, earn a regular teaching certificate.

“We have more than 4,000 people in our state who’ve changed careers, helping meet the ongoing, critical need for teachers. My legislation will provide grants for the additional training and certification,” said Mann, D-Oklahoma City. “This is a real and doable solution to help address the shortage while giving emergency certified educators the tools they need to succeed and drive academic growth in our schools.”

SB 186 will be available for consideration when the 2025 session formally gets underway in February.

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Mark Mann at 405-590-4471 or Mark.Mann@oksenate.gov