Maddy summaryThis bill officially renames Oklahoma's Reading Sufficiency Act to the Strong Readers Act and establishes a new Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund to finance reading-related initiatives. The legislation requires teacher preparation programs and certified teachers to complete specific training in the science of reading, which will be recognized as a micro-credential on their teaching certificates. It also mandates that schools screen students in grades K through 3 for reading difficulties and provides for the development of individualized intervention plans for those who need support. Additionally, the bill updates reporting requirements and removes certain provisions regarding student retention and exemptions from reading assessments.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma bill updates state laws regarding professional development for teachers and school administrators to better support student learning and safety. It requires school districts to create committees that include teachers, parents, and counselors to design training programs focused on improving academic scores, closing achievement gaps, and reducing the need for college remediation. The legislation mandates specific annual training on topics such as recognizing and reporting child abuse, autism awareness, and dyslexia and dysgraphia instruction. Additionally, it establishes consequences for teachers who fail to complete required professional development hours, which could affect their contract renewal or salary increases.
Maddy summaryHB 3278 establishes the "Graduation Act of 2024" to modify graduation curriculum requirements in Oklahoma schools starting in the 2024-2025 school year. The bill does not specify the exact curriculum changes or directly affect students beyond setting a new effective date for future requirements. Its primary function is to create a legal framework for updating graduation standards, with the law taking effect on November 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryHB 3274 would have allowed Oklahoma's statewide student assessment system to include optional retesting for college-readiness exams and new career-readiness or military aptitude tests for high school students. The bill proposed adding these additional assessments at no cost to students, with specific provisions for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for grades ten through twelve. It also mandated that school districts report the highest scores from these tests on student transcripts to help future employers and colleges evaluate academic performance. Although the bill outlined these changes, it was vetoed by the Governor on May 15, 2024, and did not become law.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that designates May 6 through May 12 as Teacher Appreciation Week in Oklahoma. It aims to publicly recognize the contributions of teachers and encourage citizens to honor their service during this specific week. The measure does not change laws, allocate funds, or alter policies; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate educators.