SB 841: Strong Readers Act; modifying use of Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund; modifying requirement for teacher preparation program students to complete certain training. Effective date. Emergency. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts focus from teacher certification requirements to student reading assessment and intervention. It removes the requirement for teachers to pass a competency exam before graduation and instead mandates screening all K-3 students for reading deficiencies. The bill also establishes a fund for reading instruction and requires specific reading skills assessments.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from teacher certification requirements to student reading assessment and intervention programs.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that teacher candidates must pass a competency examination before graduation or certification.

Added mandatory screening of all students in kindergarten through third grade for reading skills at the beginning, middle, and end of each school year.

Added exemptions for students with disabilities, English language learners, or those using sign language or Braille.

Added requirements for reading instruction programs based on scientific research and evidence-based materials.

FISCAL

Added provisions for a statewide literacy revolving fund to support reading instruction.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date for screening requirements to begin in the 2025-2026 school year.

Enrolled (final version) → SB841 (3-17-25) (PUGH) FS FA1.PDF · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Oklahoma's teacher certification laws to require successful completion of a comprehensive reading instruction assessment for certification in early childhood, elementary, or special education, effective July 1, 2025. The changes also modify how the Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund is used and update reporting requirements related to teacher preparation programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on teacher certification requirements, but it now explicitly mandates reading assessment completion for specific certification areas that previously did not have this requirement.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for early childhood, elementary, and special education teachers to complete a comprehensive reading instruction assessment by July 1, 2025

Changed reporting requirements for teacher preparation programs

Added provisions for granting exceptions to subject area examination requirements for candidates with advanced degrees in comparable subjects

FISCAL

Modified the purpose and use of the Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund

TIMELINE

Established July 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new reading assessment requirement

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 2 edits · May 27, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized from its engrossed version to enrolled status, with minor formatting updates and a change to the bill title to include 'adding adjuncts' and 'SUBJECT: Reading'. The substantive policy content regarding teacher certification requirements, reading assessments, and the literacy revolving fund remains unchanged between versions.

TECHNICAL

Bill title was updated to include 'adding adjuncts' and 'SUBJECT: Reading' in the enrolled version, though no substantive policy changes related to adjuncts appear in the provided text.

Minor formatting and spacing adjustments were made throughout the document during finalization from engrossed to enrolled status.

Amended And Engrossed → Engrossed · 5 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized from 'Engrossed House Amendments' to 'Engrossed Senate Bill' format, with substantive additions to teacher certification requirements. Key changes include new provisions for Troops to Teachers program certification in special education, expanded eligibility for elementary/early childhood certification for special education teachers, and new examination scheduling requirements. The bill also clarifies language accommodations for non-native English speakers in certification examinations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific provisions for the Troops to Teachers program and enhanced certification pathways for special education teachers seeking elementary or early childhood credentials.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions allowing teachers certified through the Troops to Teachers program to obtain special education certification upon meeting legal requirements and completing subject area examinations.

Expanded certification eligibility for special education teachers who have not completed Commission-approved teacher education programs, allowing them to teach in elementary or early childhood settings for direct instruction purposes.

REQUIREMENT

Modified examination requirements to mandate at least four competency examinations per calendar year with dates established by the Commission.

Added specific provisions for non-native English speakers, allowing native language examination options only when employed in foreign language immersion programs, with English required for additional certifications if no longer in such programs.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized bill structure from House amendment format to standard Senate bill format with updated page numbering and section headers.

Introduced → Amended And Engrossed · 4 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was substantially amended to add new teacher certification requirements, including a comprehensive reading instruction assessment for early childhood, elementary, and special education teachers effective July 1, 2025. The amended bill also adds new sections regarding teacher certification (Section 6-187) and modifies the Strong Readers Act to include additional exemptions for students with specific communication needs.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include new teacher certification requirements under Section 6-187, which was not present in the original version. The amended bill now requires individuals seeking certification in early childhood, elementary, or special education to complete a comprehensive reading instruction assessment.

REQUIREMENT

Added new Section 6-187 requiring individuals seeking certification in early childhood, elementary, or special education to successfully complete a comprehensive reading instruction assessment beginning July 1, 2025.

Added provisions requiring teacher candidates to complete a comprehensive reading instruction assessment as a condition for certification in certain areas.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified certification requirements to add the reading assessment as a condition for certification in early childhood, elementary, and special education teaching areas.

TIMELINE

Established July 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new reading assessment requirement for teacher certification.

Strong Readers Act; modifying use of Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund; modifying requirement for teacher preparation program students to complete certain training. Effective date. Emergency.

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