Oklahoma legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma SB710: Teacher preparation; establishment of TeachForwardOK; allowing Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to select more than one applicant under certain circumstances. Emergency.
Status: Signed into law, May 13, 2026
What the bill says
An Act relating to teacher preparation; amending Section 1, Chapter 400, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 6-186.1), which relates to establishment of TeachForwardOK; allowing the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to select more than one applicant to receive certain monetary award if funds are sufficient; updating statutory references; updating statutory language; and declaring an emergency. SUBJECT: Teacher preparation.
From the enrolled text, May 6, 2026:
An Act relating to teacher preparation; amending Section 1, Chapter 400, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 6-186.1), which relates to establishment of TeachForwardOK; allowing the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to select more than one applicant to receive certain monetary award if funds are sufficient; updating statutory references; updating statutory language; and declaring an emergency. SUBJECT: Teacher preparation SECTION 1. AMENDATORY Section 1, Chapter 400, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 6-186.1), is amended to read as follows: Section 6-186.1. A. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability shall establish and maintain a two-year pilot program to be known as TeachForwardOK to provide new, high-quality pathways to enter the teaching profession and increase the number of teachers in this state's workforce. B. Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this act August 29, 2025, the Commission shall issue a request for proposals to select technical assistance providers to evaluate teacher education programs in institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education that are accredited by the Commission pursuant to Section 6-186 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes this title. C. To participate in TeachForwardOK, a teacher education program shall submit an application to the Commission in the manner and on a form prescribed by the Commission. The Commission shall …