The governor signed an emergency rule on April 1 that establishes an industry-specialist certification pathway allowing professionals hired from industry to qualify to teach in Oklahoma technology centers without returning to a degree program, agency staff told the State Board of Career and Technology Education.

Gina Hubbard, director of Statewide Outreach for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE), told the board the rule was approved at the board’s prior meeting and signed by the governor on April 1, and that the updated certification process will be available for instructors to apply starting May 1. "This allows [instructors] a pathway to certification that does not require them to go back to school for a degree," Hubbard said.

The board’s accreditation and professional development staff have prepared a leadership and professional development plan to support industry hires, Hubbard said. She said the emergency rule will be returned to the board in the fall as part of the permanent-rule process along with any additional changes.

Board members thanked staff for the work implementing the pathway. The board did not take a formal vote at the meeting on this item; Hubbard presented the status update and invited questions.

Background: agency staff noted other pending rules remain in the legislative process and will be batched for a rules committee vote. ODCTE staff said the emergency rule fills a gap for recruiting industry practitioners into instructor roles while the permanent-rule process proceeds.

Documents distributed at the meeting included implementation slides and a professional-development outline for new industry-certified instructors. The agency indicated it will provide technical assistance and monitoring as the pathway is used.

What’s next: the emergency rule takes effect immediately under the governor’s signature; ODCTE staff said they will present the rule to the board again during the permanent-rule cycle in the fall and will begin accepting applications May 1.