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). The bill directs the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to create rules for this micro-credential, which will require teachers to hold a master's degree, complete comprehensive therapy-level training, pass a competency examination, and provide 28 days of instruction 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 for immediate implementation upon passage and approval.