States Reaffirm Reading
- Oklahoma strengthened its Strong Readers Act to provide teachers with additional training and support for third-grade reading. - The law was passed as Senate Bill 1778 and signed by Governor Kevin Stitt. - Community literacy efforts, like the Dickinson Public Schools collaboration, show policy remains focused on teacher capacity and basic reading outcomes. ( )
Oklahoma has rewritten its early-reading law again, tying more teacher training and classroom support to whether children can read by third grade. (oklegislature.gov) Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1778 on April 21, 2026, after the Senate first passed it 45-2 on March 25, the House passed it 87-5 on April 13, and the Senate approved House changes 43-2 on April 20. (oklegislature.gov) The law expands statewide reading screenings, requires targeted interventions based on the “science of reading,” adds teacher training and classroom support, and sets new expectations for colleges that prepare future teachers. (okhouse.gov) Oklahoma’s existing Strong Readers Act already links grade promotion in part to reading proficiency and requires districts to provide reading instruction and intervention services while keeping parents informed of a child’s progress. (oklahoma.gov) The new push comes after Oklahoma lawmakers and education officials pointed to weak reading results: House leaders said only 27% of Oklahoma third graders were reading at or above grade level on spring 2025 testing. (okhouse.gov) Federal results show the same problem in older grades. On the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, Oklahoma fourth graders posted an average reading score of 207, below the national average of 214, and 23% scored at or above Proficient. (nces.ed.gov) Senate Bill 1778 also revives a stricter retention rule for some struggling readers in third grade and builds a multi-tiered system of supports for students in kindergarten through third grade, including transitional instruction for children identified earlier in first and second grade. (publicradiotulsa.org) The state’s school agency has already been running Strong Readers guidance for districts and approved screening tools for the 2025-26 school year, with a grade-level target set at the 40th percentile on those assessments. (oklahoma.gov) The same teacher-capacity approach is showing up outside state capitols. In Dickinson, North Dakota, Head Start, Dickinson Public Schools and the Dickinson Rotary Club said this week they are working together on early literacy efforts for young children and families. (thedickinsonpress.com) Oklahoma officials said implementation starts now, with the State Department of Education preparing educators and building out reading supports before the new requirements fully reach classrooms. (oklahoman.com)
