A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to be designated the "Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the State Regents from state appropriations provided for the purpose of implementing the provisions of subsection B of this section. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the State Regents for the purpose provided for in this subsection. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.B. Subject to the availability of funding, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall utilize the Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund created in subsection A of this section to: 1. Implement training in the science of reading in teacher preparation programs accredited by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability. For the purposes of this section, training in the science of reading includes providing explicit and systematic instruction in phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension and implementing reading strategies that research has shown to be successful in improving reading among students with reading difficulties. Beginning with students entering a teacher preparation program accredited by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability in the 2025-2026 academic year, completion of training required by this paragraph shall lead to a micro-credential in the science of reading which shall be reflected on teaching certificates awarded to such individuals; and2. Support teacher preparation programs accredited by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability in developing and implementing a micro-credential in the science of reading for certified teachers employed by school districts and charter schools in this state. A micro-credential awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall be reflected on a teacher's certificate to teach.Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 1210.508I
Added by Laws 2024, c. 411,s. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.