OK SB1896

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, third-grade students who have not demonstrated reading proficiency on approved screening instruments and have not met grade-level targets on statewide assessments must be retained in third grade unless they qualify for a good-cause exemption

Students demonstrating third-grade reading proficiency through screening instruments are exempt from retention requirements, and districts must notify parents when students satisfy Strong Readers Act requirements

Third-grade students not meeting proficiency standards may be evaluated for probationary promotion by a Student Reading Proficiency Team if members unanimously recommend promotion and both the principal and superintendent approve

Good-cause exemptions for promotion include English language learners with fewer than two years of instruction, students with disabilities on alternate assessments, students demonstrating proficiency on alternative assessments, and students previously retained who received intensive remediation for two or more years

School districts must include retained students in their child-count reports for Strong Readers Act funding allocations, with funds distributed based on the number of students needing remediation or intensive intervention services