Reading and Literacy


Contact:

Melissa Ahlgrim
Program Director, Literacy Policy & Programs

(405) 522-1591

Sharon Morgan
Program Director,
Early Childhood & Elementary Literacy 

(405) 521-3034

Dylan Savage
Reporting Specialist

(405) 521-4068

iRead Header

Welcome to the Reading and Literacy pages of the SDE! Literacy – the ability to read, write, speak, and listen effectively – is the door to learning, both in school and in life. To experience literature, embrace history, engage in research, or understand the principles of the universe, we must first be literate.

Here you will find information for RSA (Reading Sufficiency Act), Reading Research as well as resources and information for educators, parents, and students.

HEROES Literacy Instructional Team

The Oklahoma Legislature passed 70 O.S. § 1210.508H in 2024, which established a three-year pilot program to employ a literacy instructional team to support school districts in implementation of the requirements of the Reading Sufficiency Act. The mission of this team is to "Help Elevate Reading Outcomes for Every Student." Placed regionally across the state, members of the HEROES team provide support to districts who would like assistance in developing or improving sustainable and systemic literacy programming.

To learn more about what the HEROES team is doing, click here.

Click this link to request support from the HEROES team.

Professional Development

The Office of Early Childhood and Literacy is available to provide additional professional development to teachers in their local area, through either face-to-face or webinar technology.
 

Science of Reading Professional Development

Emergency Certified Teachers

Teachers with emergency certification for pre-kindergarten through third grade are required by the Oklahoma State Board of Education to complete additional professional learning in reading instruction. This can be fulfilled with the free early literacy on OSDE Connect. To complete the course, follow these steps: 

  • Go to osdeconnect.ok.gov.
  • Create a free account.
  • Search for the course "Evidence Based Instructional Practices in Early Literacy."
  • Complete the course. It is estimated the course will take about 14 hours to complete.
  • Print certificate of completion for verification and send to Teacher Certification office.

LETRS Training

Language Essentials for the Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) is a comprehensive, professional development that responds to the growing need for high-quality support for literacy educators. More than any other professional development curriculum, LETRS prepares educators for the challenging work of teaching literacy. Beyond the routines and lesson plans of adopted reading programs, it's important that educators understand the language structures they're teaching, how students learn to read and write, and the reasons that some children fail to learn. The Oklahoma State Department of Education has developed the Oklahoma Science of Reading Academies to provide this comprehensive training to Oklahoma educators at no cost. Spaces are limited and registration is open until slots are filled. 

Find out more about the Oklahoma Science of Reading Academies and LETRS at sde.ok.gov/scienceofreading.

Past Professional Development

Recordings of past video conferences, webinars, and streaming events for Reading and Literacy.

Return to Top

Back to Top
Share This Page!
Last updated on December 11, 2023