OKLAHOMA CITY — Major changes to early childhood reading policies, including a return to strict third-grade retention, are now law in Oklahoma after being a top talking point throughout the 2026 legislative session.
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1778 while surrounded by state leaders and students at John W. Rex Charter Elementary on Tuesday morning. Multiple children at the downtown Oklahoma City school asked for the governor’s pens as a souvenir.
The legislation implements stricter requirements, starting in the 2026-27 academic year, for public schools to intervene when students fall behind grade-level expectations in reading. Third graders who score below a basic level on state reading tests and fail a second state-approved literacy assessment would be held back from advancing to fourth grade, unless they meet limited criteria for an exemption.
“This is about early support, strong instruction and giving parents the information that they need to stay involved in their child’s progress,” Stitt said. “And it ensures that when a student is struggling, we act quickly before that gap becomes a lifelong challenge.”
About 27% of Oklahoma students scored at or above their grade level in English language arts last school year while 36% scored below basic, state test results show. Below basic is the lowest category and indicates a student is not on track to be college or career ready by the end of high school.
Legislative leaders said they hope to emulate Mississippi, a former bottom-dweller in education rankings before it dramatically raised student reading scores after years of investment and stricter policies. Mississippi similarly requires low-scoring students to repeat third grade, has an expanded network of reading coaches and specialists, and spends $15 million a year on literacy initiatives.
“We can do better because Mississippi has done it, which shows that other states can as well,” House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said during the ceremony while accompanied by two of his young daughters.
It could take five years for Oklahoma to rise in national rankings, Hilbert said, though he suggested the state could see “improvement pretty quickly.”…
