The Oklahoma House of Representatives gave approval to two bills designed to increase the number of special education teachers in the classroom and to address the statewide teacher shortage.

Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, presented

SB1436 creates a new path to certification in two areas for aspiring special education teachers and provides additional training for existing special education teachers.

Currently, aspiring special education teachers must take two separate tests to certify in mild-moderate and severe-profound disabilities.

SB1436 passed the House 87-1. It was authored in the Senate by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa. Senate Bill 1115 was authored by Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, and passed the House 87-3.

The bill allows school districts that cannot find a certified teacher the option to rehire a quality emergency certified teacher after their second year. Current statute limits an emergency certified teacher to two years. However, if a certified teacher is available, the local district must hire the certified teacher.