OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 30, 2016) – Jon Hazell, a science teacher at Durant High School, was named Oklahoma’s 2017 Teacher of the Year at a ceremony today at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.
A graduate of Durant High School, Hazell has taught anatomy, biology and environmental science for 33 years in the Durant Independent School District.
In December 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). As a result of this action, Oklahoma has been afforded a transition year for the 2016-17 school year while ESSA guidelines are established. Please follow this link:
http://sde.ok.gov/sde/teacher-certification for guidance on how regular education and special education teaching assignments should be made for this school year.
OKLAHOMA CITY (August 24, 2016) – The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has announced four state-level finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) at the elementary level. PAEMST, established in 1983, is the highest recognition a K-12 mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Awards alternate each year between elementary and secondary teachers.
Certification Policy for Special Education Teachers and Teachers in Alternative Schools, Alternative Education Programs, and Residential and Treatment Facilities
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) removes the designations and requirements for Highly Qualified (HQ). However, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) recognizes the need of districts to address critical staffing shortages in special education, alternative schools, alternative education programs, and residential or treatment facilities.
In ESSA, the designations and requirements of Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) and High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) have been eliminated from regular education classrooms, effective immediately.
Please note that the end of NCLB has no effect on Oklahoma’s own teacher certification laws and requirements. Elementary education-certified teachers may teach any subject in grades 1-8 except for 1) courses taught for high school credit and 2) 7th and 8th grade math courses.
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Last updated on December 31, 1969
