State Education Board Approves Nearly 350 Emergency Teaching Certifications

The state Board of Education approved 349 emergency certifications at their Thursday meeting in Oklahoma City.  

29 of those applications were for Tulsa Public Schools, most in early education and elementary grades, and many teaching science.  The state board also approved exemptions for 9 Tulsa elementary schools - so they can have teachers run libraries.

The district's application said the libraries would be operated by teachers who are pursuing degrees as library media specialists.

The elementary schools approved for the library exemptions are Academy Central, Bell, Celia Clinton, Cooper, Eisenhower, Lindbergh, Patrick Henry, Porter Early Childhood, and Whitman.

The Oklahoma Department of Education issues these teaching certifications to fill vacancies.

The state superintendent's office tells News On 6, these certifications were on top of the 304 the state Board of Oklahoma approved in July.

7/29/2016 Related Story: Emergency Certifications Issued To Ease Oklahoma Teacher Shortage