Oklahoma Leaders Pass Early Literacy Policies to Improve Reading Outcomes 

“Passage of this legislation represents a significant commitment to ensuring every child can read at grade level and gains the foundational literacy skills needed for academic success. Oklahoma lawmakers have taken bold action to equip the state’s youngest learners with the tools and support they need to develop strong reading skills in the classroom and beyond.  

“We are grateful to Senate President Greg Treat, Sen. Adam Pugh, Speaker Charles McCall, Rep. Rhonda Baker and Rep. Mark McBride for their leadership in championing early literacy. Replacing harmful instructional methods with evidence-based practices paves the way for improved literacy outcomes for all Sooner State students.” 

About the Legislation 

Oklahoma’s SB 362 strengthens early literacy programs across the state. Key requirements of the law include: 

• A ban on the harmful three-cueing instructional method in schools. 
• Screeners for K-3 students three times per year to evaluate proficiency in reading skills, including phonological awareness, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and rapid automatic naming, which is how quickly students can recall known items on a page.   
• An intervention plan and parental notification for students in grades K-3 who exhibit a reading deficiency, within 30 days of identifying the deficiency.  

• Additionally, subject to funding, struggling readers in fourth grade will be offered participation in a summer reading camp.  

• Students in teacher prep programs for early childhood and elementary education programs must pass a reading instruction competency exam. 

The legislation now heads to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk for signature.