This bill establishes a new framework for teacher certification in Oklahoma by requiring the State Department of Education to create a coding system for initial teacher certifications. This system will facilitate the reporting of data related to various certification pathways, including emergency and full-time adjunct certifications. Additionally, the bill creates the Data Governance Council, which will monitor and evaluate the impact of these certification pathways on educational outcomes, identify essential data elements for assessing teacher workforce quality, and establish best practices for data management and security.

The Data Governance Council will consist of thirteen members, including representatives from the State Department of Education, higher education, school district boards, and public school teachers. Appointments to the Council must be completed by December 1, 2025, with the first meeting scheduled for February 1, 2026. The Council will meet at least quarterly, and members will not receive compensation for their service. The Council will operate under the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and the Oklahoma Open Records Act, and members will be exempt from dual office-holding prohibitions. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.