Oklahoma has been issuing emergency teacher licenses over the past few months, reports Public Radio Tulsa. The move comes after Oklahoma started the year with over 1,000 unfilled teaching positions across the state. Not long ago, emergency certificate requests were so rare that applicants were summoned before the state Board of Education to make their case. But Oklahoma has approved 948 emergency certifications for teachers since July. Still, a shortage remains across Oklahoma, especially in rural areas.
Most of the approved emergency certified teachers have gone to large school districts like Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Emergency teacher certification differs from alternative certification. Emergency certified teachers have a year-long grace period to complete required testing while they teach.
