Senate Bill 1788 by Sen. Adam Pugh and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert was signed by the Governor today at a special ceremony held at John Rex Elementary. In attendance was State Superintendent Lindel Fields, who expressed strong support for the bipartisan legislation.
“This is one of the strongest, most comprehensive literacy reform efforts in the country,” Fields said. “It reflects a thoughtful, collaborative process and a clear commitment to ensuring every child in Oklahoma has the opportunity to read and succeed.”
The legislation establishes clear expectations for early literacy while prioritizing targeted interventions and supports to help students meet those expectations. Students will receive additional assistance through evidence-based instruction, literacy coaching, and expanded resources designed to accelerate reading proficiency.
Fields emphasized that the strength of the bill lies in its balanced approach, providing meaningful support for students and educators while using retention only as a last resort.
“What stands out is the intentional focus on support,” Fields said. “This bill invests in literacy coaches, targeted interventions, and high-quality teacher training so we can meet students where they are and help them grow. Retention is not the goal, rather a last resort after the right supports have been put in place.”
Fields also recognized the individuals who worked behind the scenes to develop the legislation.
“This didn’t happen by accident,” Fields said. “From our team at the State Department of Education, Melissa Algrim invested hundreds of hours in this work, and Jennifer Monies worked for months helping bring this together. Their dedication made this possible.”
The legislation is modeled after the Mississippi Literacy-Based Promotion Act, often referred to as the “Mississippi Miracle.”
While optimistic about the impact of the legislation, Fields noted that successful implementation will be critical moving forward.
“The bill gets signed today, but the real work starts tomorrow morning,” Fields said. “Over the next several weeks, we will be standing up this program, building out supports, preparing our educators, and ensuring the systems are in place to implement this well. We have a strong framework, the right investments, and a clear plan – now we’re ready to get to work.”
