All Roll Calls
Yes: 115 • No: 10
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.
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
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
Approved by Governor 04/21/2026
4/21/2026SenateSent to Governor
4/20/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
4/20/2026HouseEnrolled, to House
4/20/2026SenateReferred for enrollment
4/20/2026SenateMeasure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 43 Nays: 2
4/20/2026SenateHAs adopted
4/20/2026SenateHAs read
4/14/2026SenateEngrossed, signed, to Senate
4/14/2026HouseReferred for engrossment
4/13/2026HouseThird Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 87 Nays: 5
4/13/2026HouseCoauthored by Representative(s) Wolfley, Roberts, Hill, Williams
4/13/2026HouseGeneral Order
4/13/2026HouseCoauthored by Representative(s) Caldwell (Chad)
4/8/2026HouseCR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget Committee
4/8/2026HouseSecond Reading referred to Appropriations and Budget
3/30/2026HouseFirst Reading
3/26/2026HouseEngrossed to House
3/26/2026SenateReferred for engrossment
3/25/2026SenateMeasure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 45 Nays: 2
3/25/2026SenateTitle restored
3/25/2026SenateGeneral Order, Amended by Floor Substitute
3/25/2026SenateCoauthored by Representative Hasenbeck
3/16/2026SenateCoauthored by Representative Staires
3/16/2026SenatePlaced 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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