Oklahoma

Local control?

Yes

Has your state passed legislation and/or non-legislated rule changes related to the science of reading?

Yes

Legislation related to literacy has been a focus of our state. The primary legislation is the Reading Sufficiency Act (RSA).

• 70 O.S. § 1210.508A – short title
• 70 O.S. § 1210.508B – purpose of the RSA
• 70 O.S. § 1210.508C – screening; instruction and intervention requirements; promotion & retention decisions; reporting
• 70 O.S. § 1210.508D – funding and professional development
• 70 O.S. § 1210.508E – summer academy programs
• 70 O.S. § 1210.508H went into effect July 1, 2023 to establish a Literacy Instructional Team
• 70 O.S. § 1210.520 screening for characteristics of dyslexia and reporting

A Dyslexia Task Force was ordered in 2018 (HB 3313) to create a dyslexia handbook. In 2022, the statute was amended to include dyslexia and dysgraphia with direction for updating the handbook regularly. (70 O.S. § 1210.517)

Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, all schools must provide dyslexia and dysgraphia awareness training to all certified K-12 personnel (70 O.S. § 6-194).

Does your state have an approved curriculum list?

Yes. The state has curriculum frameworks in which they use to guide curriculum selection.

Approved titles can be found here.

Was evidence-aligned reading instruction a consideration for the curriculum review?

No. However, all rubrics are here.

Please describe any other instructional-materials work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable

The instructional materials that are supplementary include trainings for educators but are not designed for students to directly participate in.

Does your state mandate or provide guidance on early screening?

Yes. The Reading Sufficiency Act requires schools to universally screen with one of the 12 approved universal screeners for literacy in K-3. Additionally, students who fall below the 40th percentile, must also be assessed for characteristics of dyslexia from a list of approved dyslexia screeners.

Screening Implementation Guidance can be found here. It is currently being updated to reflect legislative changes. Updates will be completed by mid-August.

K-3 students are assessed 3 times a year universally and once a year for dyslexia (as required by their eligibility for the assessment).

Does your state have policy or guidance related to MTSS that incorporates information on the science of reading and/or evidence-based literacy practices?

Yes. Oklahoma legislation, the Reading Sufficiency Act, describes a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for instruction, although it is not explicitly referred to as MTSS. Additional MTSS guidance in relation to literacy evidence-based practices is provided through the Oklahoma State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and the Oklahoma State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG). Guidance and resource library through these projects and the state literacy instructional team is in development.

Does your state have policy or guidance related to instruction and/or professional development

Yes. OSDE Office of Literacy Policy and Programs provides the Science of Reading Academies for LETRS. OSDE has also developed a self-guided course (Evidence-Based Practices in Early Literacy) on our learning management system. When completed with facilitated live sessions, teachers may earn an early literacy microcredential.

Please describe any grant work that names the science of reading and/or evidence-aligned instruction including links, where applicable

The Oklahoma State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) identifies evidence-aligned literacy instruction within the program’s initiatives and the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) developed under Indicator 17 of the state performance plan also addresses evidence-aligned instruction for early literacy.

OSDE has also applied for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant.

Has your state reviewed standards for alignment to the science of reading?

ELA standards were reviewed in 2021 and revised to strengthen standards to better align with reading research. Links to the ELA standards can be found here.

In addition, educator teams have also revised the ELA Frameworks, a companion document that provides guidance to teachers with implementation and assessment of standards.

Does your state have guidance or resources for families related to the science of reading?

Yes. Due to the implementation of a dyslexia screener for students in K-3 who do not demonstrate proficiency, there is a guidance document available for parents and families to receive if their student does indicate a need for additional intervention. It references effective instruction based on the science of reading. However, this is not a document that is required to share as is, many districts may have created their own document similar to this one that meets the legislative requirements of sharing information to parents. Family Information document

Do you have policy or guidance regarding how to leverage evidence-based practices to support secondary students?

A Request for Information was completed this summer to review evidence-based programs for intervention. The purpose of this review is to create guidance for districts, but does not limit them to use only programs on this list. The list will be published in the next few weeks on this page.

Does your state have licensure or program approval criteria to ensure Educator Preparation Programs are aligned to the science of reading?

New legislation passed this spring addresses the science of reading and EPPs. Implementation details have not yet been determined. 70 O.S. § 1210.508I – statewide literacy revolving fund for higher education (effective July 1, 2024)

Do you have a “contact us” website that we can share publicly on TRL Compass?

Literacy Policy and Programs