CEOE Oklahoma Education Law 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes an Oklahoma school board's authority regarding employment contracts?
- The board has no authority over salaries; the state sets all compensation
- The board may offer contracts and set local salary schedules above the state minimum (Correct answer)
- Contracts must be identical for all certified employees
- Only the superintendent may execute employment contracts
Correct answer: The board may offer contracts and set local salary schedules above the state minimum
Oklahoma school boards may establish local salary schedules and offer contracts, provided they meet state minimum salary requirements.
Question 2: Under Oklahoma law, what is the required action if a student brings a firearm to school?
- A minimum one-year expulsion is required (Correct answer)
- The student must be referred to counseling
- The student receives a 10-day suspension pending review
- Punishment is left entirely to the principal's discretion
Correct answer: A minimum one-year expulsion is required
Oklahoma law, consistent with the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, mandates a minimum one-year expulsion for students who bring firearms to school.
Question 3: Oklahoma's Educated Workforce Initiative primarily focuses on which educational goal?
- Expanding gifted education programs
- Aligning K-12 education with workforce and higher education needs (Correct answer)
- Increasing international student enrollment
- Standardizing teacher pay nationally
Correct answer: Aligning K-12 education with workforce and higher education needs
Oklahoma's Educated Workforce Initiative aims to align K-12 learning outcomes with the skills needed by employers and higher education institutions.
Question 4: A teacher in Oklahoma believes a non-renewal of their probationary contract was based on an unconstitutional reason. What is their most appropriate legal recourse?
- Filing a complaint with the local school board only
- Filing a Section 1983 civil rights claim if a constitutional right was violated (Correct answer)
- Accepting the decision as final since probationary teachers have no rights
- Reporting the principal to the Oklahoma State Department of Education
Correct answer: Filing a Section 1983 civil rights claim if a constitutional right was violated
Even probationary teachers may bring a Section 1983 claim if a non-renewal violated a constitutional right, such as free speech or equal protection.
Question 5: Under Oklahoma's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act compliance, which team member is required to participate in every IEP meeting?
- The school district's attorney
- At least one of the student's parents or guardians (Correct answer)
- The school superintendent
- A state department representative
Correct answer: At least one of the student's parents or guardians
IDEA requires that at least one parent or guardian of the student participate as a member of the IEP team.
Question 6: Under Oklahoma law, a teacher who wishes to resign mid-year must provide the school district with notice by which deadline to avoid potential license sanctions?
- 60 days before resignation
- At least 30 days before the effective resignation date (Correct answer)
- No notice is legally required
- By June 15 of the current school year
Correct answer: At least 30 days before the effective resignation date
Oklahoma law requires teachers to provide at least 30 days' notice before mid-year resignation to avoid possible certification consequences.
Question 7: Which of the following scenarios would most likely constitute a violation of Oklahoma's Student Privacy Act regarding student records?
- Sharing a student's disciplinary record with another teacher in the same school for educational purposes
- Releasing a student's grades to their non-custodial parent without a court order prohibiting access
- Disclosing student records to a new school where the student has enrolled without parental consent (Correct answer)
- Allowing a school counselor to review student records for academic planning
Correct answer: Disclosing student records to a new school where the student has enrolled without parental consent
Under FERPA and Oklahoma law, disclosing student records to a new school without parental consent or proper transfer procedures violates student privacy protections.
CEOE Oklahoma Education Law 5
Which of the following best describes an Oklahoma school board's authority regarding employment contracts?