The bill amends the Strong Readers Act to improve reading proficiency among elementary school students in Oklahoma by implementing several key measures. It mandates public school districts to screen students in kindergarten through third grade for reading deficiencies at the beginning, middle, and end of each school year, with the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability evaluating and ranking screening instruments for the State Board of Education's selection. The bill prohibits the use of the three-cueing system model for teaching reading and requires that students identified with reading deficiencies receive intensive intervention and an individual reading intervention plan within seven days of identification. Additionally, it establishes a Strong Readers Revolving Fund to support summer reading academies for students with reading deficiencies and emphasizes parental notification regarding students' reading progress.

The legislation also introduces specific promotion criteria for third-grade students based on their reading skills, requiring them to demonstrate sufficient proficiency to advance to fourth grade starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Students who do not meet the reading standards and do not qualify for good-cause exemptions will be retained in third grade, with a focus on intensive reading interventions for those retained. The bill further enhances teacher training in reading instruction, increasing the number of regional literacy leads and establishing a minimum requirement for literacy specialists in public elementary schools. It also mandates the State Department of Education to report on reading proficiency and intervention services, ensuring a comprehensive approach to improving literacy outcomes across the state. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 70-1210.508A, 70-1210.508B, 70-1210.508C, 70-1210.508E, 70-1210.508F