House Bill No. 1412 amends existing laws regarding teacher certification and compensation in Oklahoma. The bill directs that stipends, rather than salary increases, be provided to teachers who obtain advanced, lead, or master certificates, with specific stipend amounts set at $3,000, $5,000, and $10,000 respectively. Additionally, it allows school districts that receive certain funding allotments to designate additional teachers for these certificates. The bill also stipulates that these stipends will not be included in calculations for minimum salary schedules or retirement benefits, ensuring that they are treated separately from regular salary considerations.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the purpose of allocations from the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund, which will be used to fund these stipends. It establishes a framework for school districts to evaluate and designate teachers for these advanced certifications, including criteria based on teacher observations and student performance. The bill emphasizes local control for districts in determining evaluation methods and allows for additional designations for teachers in economically disadvantaged schools. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage.