The Resident Teacher Program was initially implemented as a result of the Teacher Reform Act of 1980 (House Bill 1706). In 1995, House Bill 1549 changed the name from Entry-Year Assistance Program to Resident Teacher Program. The intent of this legislation is to establish qualifications of teachers in the accredited schools of this state through licensing and certification requirements to ensure that the education of the children of Oklahoma will be provided by teachers of demonstrated ability.
The licensed teacher is required to participate in the Resident Teacher Program during the initial year of teaching in an accredited school under the guidance and assistance of a Resident Teacher Committee in order to qualify for an Oklahoma teaching certificate.
"Resident Teacher Committee" means a committee in a local school district for the purpose of reviewing the teaching performance of a resident teacher and making recommendations to the Board and the preparing institution of higher education regarding certification of the resident teacher. A Resident Teacher Committee shall consist of a mentor teacher, the principal, or an assistant principal of the employing school or an administrator designated by the local board and a teacher educator in a college or school of education of an institution of higher learning, or an educator in a department or school outside the institutions' teacher education unit. Provided that, if available, qualified mentor teachers shall have expertise in the teaching field of the resident teacher and, if possible, the higher education members of the Resident Teacher Committee shall have expertise and experience in the teaching field of the resident teacher. However, in all cases at least one member of the Resident Teacher Committee shall have expertise and experience in the teaching field of the resident teacher. (House Bill 1549)2009-2010 Resident Teacher Packet | Entire Packet (pdf) |
| Table of Contents |
| Welcome letter to the Resident Teachers from Sandy Garrett, State Superintendent (pdf) |
| Resident Teacher Program Form 002 (pdf) University Contact List (pdf) |
| Suggested Timeline Chart for the Resident Teacher Program Timeline Chart (pdf) | Form 002 (pdf) |
| Resident Teacher Committee Procedures Working with the resident teacher to assist in all matters concerning classroom management and professional development. Making a recommendation regarding certification. Making a recommendation for a professional development program for the resident teacher, designed to strengthen the resident teacher's teaching skills in any area identified by the committee. In order for all assigned Resident Teacher Committees in Oklahoma to have a common document to provide justifiable conclusions for a recommendation regarding certification, an observation instrument is provided. It should be recognized that data collected during the observation may reflect growth, rather than maximum achieved competence or total mastery of teaching skills. For the Resident Teacher Program to be most beneficial to the resident teacher, it is important for the Resident Teacher Committee to follow all of the rules and regulations of the program. It is also important that all members of the committee maintain complete confidentiality as to any of the responsibilities performed or actions taken during the Resident Teacher Program. Therefore, no one--other than the committee members, including the resident teacher--should attend a Resident Teacher Committee meeting except by the agreement and consent of all committee members, including the resident teacher. In addition, no one can "substitute" for a committee member. Observations Instrument (pdf) Information (pdf) including: Committee Meeting I, Observations I and II, Committee Meeting II, Observation III, and Committee Meeting III Form 003 A (pdf) and Form 003 B (pdf) - Certification Recommendation/Application for Initial Oklahoma School Certification and for the Licensed Teacher |
| Recommendation for Noncertification Any Resident Teacher not recommended for certification after completing two (2) years in the Resident Teacher Program may request a hearing before the Oklahoma State Board of Education 70 O.S. § 6-203 (within 60 days of committee recommendation). |
| Variations to the Resident Teacher Program Regulations First-year teachers at Career Techs Information (pdf) |
| Resident Teachers Employed Less Than 120 Days Information (pdf) | Form 004 (pdf) |
| Requirements for Mentor Teacher Information (pdf) |
| Replacement of Resident Teacher Committee Members Information (pdf) |
For More Information, Contact:
Karyn Hutchens, Executive Director, Resident Teacher Program, SDE, (405) 521-3607