Strong Readers for Schools

Implementation Guide for Strong Readers 

The Implementation Guide has been updated to reflect changes made to the Strong Readers Act. Please use this resource to support programming and understanding how the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework and Strong Readers work together to support students

Implementation Guide for Strong Readers

Quick Guide for Educators

Educators can find a quick overview of the Strong Readers Act requirements on this Quick Guide document. 

Exemptions to Strong Readers 

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, certain groups of students are exempt from requirements of the Strong Readers Act, including screening and creation of a Student Literacy Intervention Plan (SLIP). These students must be able to demonstrate progress toward literacy goals as defined on an Individual Education Program (IEP) or English Language Academic Plan (ELAP).

Students who are exempt from requirements of Strong Readers must fit one of the following criteria:

• Student participates in the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP), which is indicated on the Individual Education Program (IEP), and is taught using alternate methods.
• The student's primary expressive or receptive communication is sign language.
• The student's primary form of written or read text is Braille.
• The students primary expressive or receptive language is not English, the student is identified as an English language learner using a state-approved identification assessment, AND the student has had less than one (1) school year of instruction in an English-learner program.

Exemption Form for Strong Readers

Decisions to exempt a student should be made with the IEP team or the EL teacher working with the student.

Reporting Timeline

2024-2025 Strong Readers Timeline 

Locating Reports on Single Sign On

Technical Assistance for Strong Readers Reports

• Annual District Reading Plan is now open.
• Updated due date is October 15.
• Video Tutorial

• Strong Readers Act Survey: Beginning of Year (BOY) tab | Due October 1 | Video Tutorial
• **Districts using the free Amira screener have an extension on the BOY until October 18.
• Wave: Third Grade Promotion Retention Report | Due November 1
• Strong Readers Act Survey: End of Year (EOY) tab | Due May 31
• Strong Readers Act Survey: Summer School tab | Due August 15

Screening for Reading Difficulties, Including Characteristics of Dyslexia

Screening Technical Assistance

Screening assessments are approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. Technical guidance documents specific to each assessment have been completed by the publisher and made available for districts' convenience. For training specific to each assessment, please contact the publisher.

The following assessments have been approved for use for both Universal screening and screening for characteristics of dyslexia.

The grade-level target for all assessments is the 40th percentile.

• Acadience
• Amira
• ExactPath
• FastBridge
• i-Ready Diagnostic
• Istation
• MAP Reading Fluency 
• mCLASS DIBELS 8th edition
• Star Early Learning Suite

The assessments listed below have been approved for use for Universal screening only. A different assessment would need to be used for screening for characteristics of dyslexia.

• aimswebPlus
• Early Learning Quick Assessment (ELQA) – Kindergarten ONLY
• MAP Growth

Timeline for Screening and Notification

The Strong Readers law states the following: A student enrolled in kindergarten or first, second, or third grade who exhibits a deficiency in reading at any time based on the screening instrument administered pursuant to subsection A of this section shall receive an individual reading intervention plan no later than thirty (30) days after the identification of the deficiency in reading. 

Please see the document linked below for clarification as to the timeline for assessing students and notifing families of reading difficulties.

Clarification of 30-day Timeline for Screening and Addressing Reading Difficulties 

Strong Readers Funding

The funding checklist for the Strong Readers Act has been updated, and new program codes have been made available to aid in tracking expenditures.

• Strong Readers Approved Funding Checklist with OCAS Codes 

Science of Reading Professional Development

Information about the Science of Reading Professional Development has been moved to the Literacy Professional Development webpage.

Sample Documents

Student Literacy Intervention Plan (SLIP) 

This document is a tool made available to districts to meet all requirements of the Strong Readers Act. If a district-created form is used, it is the responsibility of the district to ensure all statuatory requirements for the SLIP are met. 

• Student Literacy Intervention Plan (SLIP) 
• Student Literacy Intervention Plan (SLIP) - Fillable Form 
• Student Literacy Intervention Plan (SLIP) for 4th Grade and Above 
• Student Literacy Intervention Plan (SLIP) for 4th Grade and Above - Fillable Form

The addendum document is only needed if the screening for characteristics of dyslexia is not able to be completed prior to having a conference with parents. If all information about dyslexia screening is able to be included on the SLIP, the addendum is not needed.

• SLIP Addendum for Dyslexia Screening 
• SLIP Addendum for Dyslexia Screening - Fillable

Family Communication

• Strong Readers Family Guide 
• Family Information and Resources for Dyslexia   

Summer School Recommendation 

• Notice of Reading Proficiency
• Notice of Reading Proficiency - Fillable 

Quick Links

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