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Bill > SB1778

OK SB1778

OK SB1778
Strong Readers Act; expanding grade levels to be given intensive intervention services; requiring certain students in certain grades to be provided transition classroom or instruction; requiring retention of certain students. Effective date. Emergency.

summary

Introduced
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/24/2026
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 assessments for reading skills; modifying the number of screening instruments to be approved by the State Board of Education beginning in certain school year; requiring school districts to provide certain updates to certain parents and legal guardians; providing for contents and minimum frequency of updates; requiring a public school district’s strong readers plan to include certain plan for transitional instruction; expanding grade levels of students to be given intensive intervention services under certain circumstances beginning in certain school year; requiring certain first- and second-grade students to be placed in certain transitional classroom or provided certain transitional instruction; requiring third-grade students to demonstrate sufficient reading skills beginning in certain school year; providing methods for demonstration; requiring retention of certain third-grade students; requiring additional opportunity to meet certain grade-level targets; providing exception; prohibiting a receiving school from altering certain retention requirements; requiring school districts to report certain information; requiring certain written notification to a parent or legal guardian to include certain information; requiring the Strong Readers Report to include certain information; allowing the State Board of Education to use funds from certain sources to implement the Strong Readers Act; updating statutory language; updating statutory references; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 1210.508F, as last amended by Section 3, Chapter 297, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1210.508F), which relates to reading competencies for teacher education programs; requiring certain teacher education programs to be audited for certain compliance; directing noncompliant programs to be placed on certain status and given certain guidance; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

AI Summary

This bill, the Strong Readers Act, aims to improve reading skills for students from kindergarten through third grade by expanding intensive intervention services and requiring specific transitional instruction or classroom placements for students not meeting reading benchmarks. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, fewer screening instruments will be approved by the State Board of Education, and school districts will be required to provide parents with at least monthly written progress updates on their child's reading development. The bill also mandates that school districts develop plans for transitional instruction for students identified as needing extra support, and starting in the 2027-2028 school year, first and second graders who are not reading at grade level will be placed in a transitional classroom or receive targeted intervention instruction. Crucially, third graders will be required to demonstrate sufficient reading skills to be promoted to the fourth grade, with retention being a consequence for those who do not meet these standards, though additional opportunities to demonstrate proficiency and exceptions for demonstrated growth are provided, and receiving schools cannot alter these retention requirements. Furthermore, the bill requires teacher education programs to be audited for compliance with reading instruction standards and mandates that all new teachers in certain fields pass a reading instruction assessment.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Referred to Appropriations (on 02/24/2026)

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