OK HB4420

Amends Oklahoma's Strong Readers Act to require mandatory third-grade retention beginning in the 2027-2028 school year for students who score at the "below basic" level on the statewide English Language Arts assessment, unless a good-cause exemption applies

Reduces the timeline for reading intervention plans from 30 days to 21 days after identifying a reading deficiency, and requires parents be notified within 7 days of identification rather than 30 days

Prohibits the use of "three-cueing" and balanced literacy/whole language reading instruction methods, requiring instead explicit, systematic instruction based on the science of reading including phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension

Expands the state literacy coaching program from a three-year pilot to a permanent program with a minimum of 20 regional literacy coaches, and requires at least one reading specialist or contracted reading specialist for each public elementary school

Creates the Strong Readers Revolving Fund to accept private donations designated for specific schools, districts, or regions to support reading improvement initiatives and multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) implementation