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OK HB4149
Bill
Status
2/2/2026
Primary Sponsor
Toni Hasenbeck
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AI Summary
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Amends the Strong Readers Act to mandate third-grade retention beginning in the 2026-2027 school year for students who score at the lowest achievement level on the statewide English Language Arts assessment, unless they qualify for a good-cause exemption or pass an approved alternative reading assessment.
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Prohibits schools from using the "three-cueing system" (also known as MSV, balanced literacy, or whole language) for reading instruction starting in the 2025-2026 school year, and requires teacher preparation programs to educate candidates on identifying and avoiding this model.
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Establishes an Oklahoma Reading Panel of six members, including legislative and gubernatorial appointees, to recommend alternative standardized reading assessments and cut scores for determining fourth-grade promotion.
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Requires retained third-grade students to receive at least 90 minutes daily of scientifically research-based reading instruction, and mandates intensive acceleration classes for students retained more than once with the goal of increasing reading levels by two grade levels in one year.
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Links driver license eligibility for applicants under 18 to demonstration of eighth-grade reading proficiency through the statewide assessment or an approved alternative test, with schools required to provide documentation and remediation plans for students who do not pass.
Legislative Description
Strong Readers Act; references; legislative findings; declaring intent of the Legislature; reading screenings; reading deficiencies; parent notifications; State Department of Education; reading panel; alternate reading assessments; promotion to fourth grade; retaining third grade; good-cause exemptions; intensive reading instruction; intensive acceleration class; reporting requirements; teacher training requirements; eighth-grade reading level; driver license; remedial reading for driver licenses; alternative reading proficiency tests; motorcycle licenses; testing site requirements; documentation requirements; out of state test results; school enrollment, completion, or lawful excuse for minors to obtain a driver license; violations; alternate route to obtain driver license; employer fines; attendance officers; Department of Public Safety; license cancellation; definitions; exceptions; forms; effective date; emergency.
Last Action
Recommendation to the full committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee
2/19/2026