OklahomaSB 1778Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Strong Readers Act; modifying number of screening instruments to be approved by the State Board of Education beginning in certain school year. Emergency.

Sponsored By: Adam Pugh (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stipends for teacher reading credentials and training

Each public elementary school must have at least one reading specialist, interventionist, or a teacher with an early literacy micro‑credential. For each certified person who earns the micro‑credential, the state pays $3,000. The college or university that issues it gets $1,500. Teachers who finish an approved summer reading institute get a stipend equal to the cost of a substitute, subject to available funds. The first academy is held before the 2026–2027 school year.

More state funding for K–3 reading help

The state funds school reading support for kindergarten through third grade. Each district gets a base per‑student amount, and at least 40% of funds go to this. Districts also get extra weighted money for Tier 2 and Tier 3 help, with at least 30% going to this pool. When funded, districts also receive a per‑student allocation for every child flagged for remediation; the amount equals total dollars divided by all identified students statewide. Districts need a State Board–approved plan and a child‑count report. Up to 30% of the funds can reward students, schools, or districts that show reading gains, under State Board rules.

Stronger reading help and parent alerts

Schools must offer higher‑level reading help to third graders who score below basic and to K–2 students flagged by the state screener. Help can be before, during, or after school, or a summer academy. Summer academies give at least 70 hours and cannot use three‑cueing or balanced literacy. By the end of second quarter, teachers must tell parents if a K–3 child is below grade level and what help the child will get. The State Board sets rules for time, group size, records, and progress checks for Tier 1–3 supports. Services depend on available funds.

New coach support and teacher certification rules

Starting July 1, 2025, new teachers in special education, early childhood, or elementary must pass a state‑approved reading test; programs must teach the science of reading. The state assigns trained literacy coaches to low‑performing schools and regions, with a three‑year pilot beginning in 2026–2027 across six regions. Coaches must pass the Foundations of Reading test and have training in reading science and dyslexia supports. Districts that decline an assigned coach cannot receive funds under Section 1210.508D.

Ban on three‑cueing in K–3 reading

Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, Oklahoma schools cannot use the three‑cueing method (also called MSV, balanced literacy, or whole language) in K–3 reading.

New K–3 reading tests and exemptions

Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, the State Board approves at least three K–3 reading screeners used in fall, winter, and spring. Tests must cover phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, work for students with disabilities and English learners, and report results to the state. Some students can be exempt: those in OAAP, primary signers, Braille users, and English learners with under one year in English programs. Schools must keep proof and show ongoing progress at the same times as the screens.

Donor fund for local reading support

The law creates the Strong Readers Revolving Fund. Businesses, nonprofits, and tribes can donate and must name the school, district, or region. The state must spend each gift as the donor directs. Money can pay for training, data work, micro‑credential stipends and fees, and other reading supports.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adam Pugh

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Chad Caldwell

    Republican • House

  • Toni Hasenbeck

    Republican • House

  • Kyle Hilbert

    Republican • House

  • Brian Hill

    Republican • House

  • Eric Roberts

    Republican • House

  • Clay Staires

    Republican • House

  • Danny Williams

    Republican • House

  • Max Wolfley

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 115 • No: 10

Senate vote 4/20/2026

Emergency

Yes: 0 • No: 2

House vote 4/13/2026

Top_of_Page

Yes: 87 • No: 5

House vote 4/7/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/25/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 0 • No: 2

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Emergency

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Emergency

Yes: 0 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 04/21/2026

    4/21/2026Senate
  2. Sent to Governor

    4/20/2026Senate
  3. Signed, returned to Senate

    4/20/2026House
  4. Enrolled, to House

    4/20/2026Senate
  5. Referred for enrollment

    4/20/2026Senate
  6. Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 43 Nays: 2

    4/20/2026Senate
  7. HAs adopted

    4/20/2026Senate
  8. HAs read

    4/14/2026Senate
  9. Engrossed, signed, to Senate

    4/14/2026House
  10. Referred for engrossment

    4/13/2026House
  11. Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 87 Nays: 5

    4/13/2026House
  12. Coauthored by Representative(s) Wolfley, Roberts, Hill, Williams

    4/13/2026House
  13. General Order

    4/13/2026House
  14. Coauthored by Representative(s) Caldwell (Chad)

    4/8/2026House
  15. CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget Committee

    4/8/2026House
  16. Second Reading referred to Appropriations and Budget

    3/30/2026House
  17. First Reading

    3/26/2026House
  18. Engrossed to House

    3/26/2026Senate
  19. Referred for engrossment

    3/25/2026Senate
  20. Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 45 Nays: 2

    3/25/2026Senate
  21. Title restored

    3/25/2026Senate
  22. General Order, Amended by Floor Substitute

    3/25/2026Senate
  23. Coauthored by Representative Hasenbeck

    3/16/2026Senate
  24. Coauthored by Representative Staires

    3/16/2026Senate
  25. Placed on General Order

    3/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled (final version)

    4/20/2026

  • Amended And Engrossed

    4/13/2026

  • Floor (House)

    4/8/2026

  • House Committee Report

    4/8/2026

  • House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill

    4/8/2026

  • Engrossed

    3/26/2026

  • Floor (Senate)

    3/5/2026

  • Senate Committee Report 2

    3/4/2026

  • Committee Substitute

    2/24/2026

  • Senate Committee Report 1

    2/24/2026

  • Introduced

    1/14/2026

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