Oklahoma recently passed The Strong Readers Act – landmark legislation designed so all Oklahoma kids read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
The Strong Readers Act is based on the Science of Reading, a proven successful, phonics-based approach to learning how to read. With the Strong Readers Act fully implemented, everyone wins! And to win, the Act must be completely implemented throughout the state.
While still early in the process, we seem to be on the right track. Teacher training curriculum is being compiled. A single reading screener has been selected, providing a consistent way kids are evaluated. Teacher supports are being evaluated. And the Oklahoma legislature has even created a Literacy Caucus, a bipartisan group of Senators and Legislators committed to ensuring the Strong Readers Act is fully implemented and followed. All these steps are in the right direction to create positive change in Oklahoma’s public education.
Everyone wins!
Improving Oklahoma’s reading proficiency will be a marathon – not a sprint. We must have the courage to commit to the long-term and see it through. If we do, everyone wins. Kids. Teachers. Parents. And Oklahoma!
Parents play a signifcant role in this. The Act requires more/better communication between the schools and parents. And parents should know what the new law promises, take an active role in their child’s reading education, collaborating with teachers and doing the right things at home. The law provides:
- Early, consistent and statewide screenings, beginning in kindergarten and through 3rd grade, to find deficiencies early.
- The use of only one screening instrument to assess reading skills.
- Updated requirements for teacher training programs to focus on the Science of Reading, a phonics-based process proven to be the most effective way to teach reading.
- A multi-tiered system of supports for all students, which provides core literacy instruction – with increasing levels of support based on individual needs.
- Expanding the scope of students who will receive reading intervention plans.
- Adding a member to Student Reading Proficiency Teams at schools.
- Expanding teacher supports with professional development, literacy training academies, and instructional coaching support.
- Increasing the number of literacy coaches to support school districts.
- New requirements for 1st and 2nd graders who are not meeting reading targets, including options for transitional classrooms, voluntary retention with parental consent, and mandatory tutoring or summer reading programs.
- Requiring that all 3rd graders demonstrate sufficient reading skills and score at a basic level to be promoted to 4th grade, beginning in the 2027-28 school year.
- Specific methods for demonstration of reading proficiency.
- Clear criteria for good-cause exemptions from retention, and that retained students receive targeted interventions.
- Requires every student, who is struggling to read, be provided a Read At Home Plan to ensure comprehensive support at home and at school.
Complete implementation of the Strong Readers Act is cruicial for stronger readers. Stronger classrooms. Stronger families. And a stronger Oklahoma. Learn more at okeii.org/strongreadersact.
