NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) – The University of Oklahoma is offering a new program to help future teachers leave college with less debt, backed by a $5 million donation from Gene and Jeannie Rainbolt.
The goal of the initiative is to get more certified teachers into Oklahoma classrooms. Currently, fewer than half of Oklahoma first-year teachers are standard certified and the state issued nearly 4,000 emergency teaching certificates this year.
Eligible Oklahoma residents looking to become teachers at OU will receive $9,500 over four years. Students must meet specific GPA requirements in order to qualify for the program…