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Bill > SB1271

OK SB1271

OK SB1271
Strong Readers Act; requiring retention of certain third-grade students; directing certain intervention services to be provided to certain students. Effective date. Emergency.

summary

Introduced
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act relating to the Strong Readers Act; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 1210.508C, as last amended by Section 2, Chapter 297, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1210.508C), which relates to reading assessments; requiring a Student Reading Proficiency Team to include certain coach, if assigned; removing language allowing certain students to demonstrate proficiency on certain screening instruments; requiring retention of certain third-grade students who do not meet certain grade-level targets on certain statewide assessment and do not qualify for certain exemption; directing certain performance levels to ensure students are meeting certain criteria; requiring school districts to include certain information in annual report; providing good- cause exemptions for promotion of certain students; providing process for evaluation of good-cause exemption requests; directing certain intervention services to be provided to certain students subject to retention; allowing a school district to provide an intensive acceleration class for retained third- grade students; requiring the State Department of Education to employ literacy coaches; providing qualifications for literacy coach; providing for assignment and duties of literacy coaches; updating statutory language; updating statutory references; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 1210.508D, as amended by Section 6, Chapter 411, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1210.508D), which relates to Strong Readers Act funding; directing allocation for certain retained students; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 1210.508E, as amended by Section 7, Chapter 411, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1210.508E), which relates to summer academies; updating statutory language; requiring, rather than allowing, a teacher to recommend a summer academy for students in certain grades; requiring school districts beginning in certain summer to provide a summer academy or other program to certain students; requiring administration of certain alternative assessment by certain date; providing for promotion of students who attend certain academy or other program; requiring school districts to notify the State Department of Education by certain date regarding offering of summer academy or other program; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

AI Summary

This bill strengthens Oklahoma's existing Strong Readers Act by implementing more rigorous reading proficiency requirements for students in kindergarten through third grade, with a particular focus on third-grade students. Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, third-grade students who do not meet grade-level reading performance on statewide assessments will be retained and provided intensive intervention services, including at least 90 minutes of daily scientifically-based reading instruction. The bill introduces good-cause exemptions for retention, such as for English language learners and students with disabilities, and requires school districts to offer summer reading academies or alternative programs for struggling readers. Additionally, the legislation mandates the State Department of Education to employ literacy coaches who will be assigned to school districts with high numbers of low-performing readers to provide technical support, professional development, and guidance to teachers. The bill also updates funding allocation methods for reading intervention programs and requires detailed annual reporting on student reading performance, with the goal of improving literacy outcomes for Oklahoma's elementary students. These changes aim to ensure that students are reading at grade level by the end of third grade, which is considered a critical milestone for future academic success.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Second Reading referred to Education Committee then to Appropriations Committee (on 02/03/2026)

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