Garrett pushes for background checks for teachers

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state education superintendent wants teachers to under go background checks before they are issued a state teaching license.

Superintendent Sandy Garrett also wants teachers to be responsible for the 41 dollar fee involved with the federal and state background checks.

The checks would affect some 70-thousand teachers who must renew their Oklahoma certification every five years.

College graduates and out-of-state teachers seeking Oklahoma certification would also have to under go the checks.

The proposal also applies to bus drivers. But support personnel may not fit in under the proposal.

The state doesn't license support personnel in public schools.

The Board of Education recently revoked the teaching credentials of four teachers.