OKLAHOMA CITY – Two state lawmakers held backto- back interim studies recently focusing on reading readiness and early literacy proficiency initiatives.
Reps. Aletia Timmons, D-Oklahoma City, and Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, said reading skills are vital for state school kids.
“Reading is fundamental to enriching the lives of Oklahomans,” Timmons said. “That is why it is im portant to develop stronger education literacy programs so students can start early and have the best outcomes as they move through school and into the workforce.”
One study revealed that early literacy benchmarks are set in kindergarten through third grade. However, screening data indicates that roughly one in three Oklahoma students in these grades begins below the expected level for foundational reading skills.
According to Oklahoma School Testing Program data released in late October, 27% of Oklahoma third graders scored proficient or better in reading on the 2025 English Language Arts state test, while 43% scored below basic, performing far below grade-level expectations. Among urban schools, just 14% of third graders in Oklahoma City and Tulsa met grade-level standards.
Experts noted that foundational reading abilities can differ across districts, but early identification through screening, combined with intervention and support, can help students overcome challenges before they widen. The study also highlighted that children who do not achieve reading proficiency by third grade face not only academic difficulties but may also experience broader behavioral, economic, and societal struggles later in life.
'The ability to read well is the foundation on which all future educational achievement is built,” Hall said. “Research has consistently shown that if we don't ensure our youngest students are reading at an age-appropriate level by the time they leave third grade, we're setting them up for challenges throughout their entire education.'
The studies explored potential legislative solutions, including updates to the Strong Readers Act, initially passed in 1997, and emphasized the need for sustained funding for early reading interventions. Presenters included officials from the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Dr. Gloria Anderson, former superintendent of W.K. Jackson Leadership Academy, who discussed the critical role of support programs in early literacy.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Oklahoma currently ranks 47th in fourthgrade reading and 48th in eighth-grade reading, with only 23% of fourth graders testing proficient, compared with 30% nationally. The state’s reading achievement gap compared to national averages is one of the largest since NAEP began tracking performance in 1998.
“It’s no secret that Oklahoma isn’t doing great on the literacy front,” Hall said. “But that doesn’t have to be our future. States like Mississippi have shown that massive literacy gains are achievable in just a f ew years. Widespread illiteracy is a policy choice, and it’s one we can choose to change.”
When viewed more broadly, Oklahoma’s literacy challenges mirror national trends. About 21% of U.S. adults struggle with basic literacy, and the nation’s overall literacy rate has remained stagnant for decades. Education advocates say this underscores why strong foundational reading skills matter, not only for academic success but also for long-term workforce participation and financial stability.
“When we ensure that every Oklahoma child who enters fourth grade is ready to learn from what they read, we ensure a better future for them and for Oklahoma as a whole,” Timmons said.
Education advocates say that efforts like this study are essential for ensuring that Oklahoma students receive the foundational literacy skills necessary to succeed in school, careers, and life. With nearly one-third of students starting school behind in reading, these initiatives could play a key role in shaping the state’s long-term educational outcomes. Hall said the discussion will help guide future policy efforts centered on early intervention, teacher training and accountability.
He said he plans to continue working with legislators, education leaders, and parents in the upcoming session “to strengthen reading programs and ensure more Oklahoma students are reading on grade level.”
State lawmakers will return to the Capitol in February 2026.