Senate Bill No. 840 aims to enhance the qualifications of certified teachers in Oklahoma by establishing a micro-credential program specifically for those who complete Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) certification or Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) training. The bill directs the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to create rules for this micro-credential, which will have minimum requirements including a master's degree, completion of comprehensive therapy-level training, successful passage of a competency examination, and 28 days of instructional experience following the exam.

Additionally, teachers who earn this micro-credential will be authorized to screen students for dyslexia and identify its characteristics, with the credential being reflected on their teaching certificate. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause to ensure its immediate implementation upon passage and approval.