Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, today applauded the passage of House Bill 4420 out of the House Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee, marking the first step in advancing legislation designed to strengthen Oklahoma’s Strong Readers Act and ensure every child can read at or above grade level by the end of third grade.

“Today’s committee vote sends a clear message: reading is not optional, it is foundational,” Hilbert said. “If a child cannot read, they will struggle in every subject that follows. House Bill 4420 focuses on what works, supports our educators, holds the system accountable and gives parents clearer insight into their child’s progress.”

Oklahoma’s literacy outcomes have declined in recent years. Based on Spring 2025 testing, only 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders are reading at or above grade level.

“Before third grade, students learn to read. After third grade, they read to learn,” Hilbert said. “If that transition does not happen, the consequences compound quickly, both academically and economically. We cannot talk about workforce development and career pathways if our students cannot read.”

HB 4420 strengthens early literacy efforts by:

• Requiring a single, consistent statewide reading screener aligned with the state summative assessment
• Ensuring screening data is reported and comparable across districts
• Providing earlier and more intensive interventions for students in kindergarten through third grade
• Increasing communication with parents, including frequent progress updates and Read-at-Home plans
• Requiring high-quality instructional materials aligned with the science of reading
• Expanding literacy coaching and reading specialist support statewide
• Strengthening teacher preparation requirements in colleges of education

The bill moves Oklahoma toward greater consistency and accountability, while maintaining carefully defined good-cause exemptions for students with significant cognitive disabilities, certain English language learners and other limited circumstances.

“This is not about punishment. It is about accountability paired with support,” Hilbert said. “Advancing a child who cannot read is not compassionate, it is negligent. This legislation ensures students receive help early and intensively, rather than being passed along without the skills they need to succeed.”

The measure also expands literacy coaches from five to twenty statewide positions, prioritizing the lowest-performing schools, ensures access to a reading specialist for every Oklahoma elementary school and creates a Strong Readers Revolving Fund to encourage public-private literacy partnerships.

Hilbert emphasized that the committee vote represents only the beginning of the legislative process.

“We are taking the first step toward restoring excellence in literacy education in Oklahoma,” he said. “Our educators are working hard, and this bill provides the structure, support and clarity needed to deliver consistent results statewide. The goal is simple: every Oklahoma child reading on grade level by the end of third grade.”

House Bill 4420 is now eligible to be considered by the Appropriations and Budget Committee.