SECTION 210:15-27-4. Individualized Program of Reading Instruction

(a)   Eligible students. Each student enrolled in kindergarten, first, second, and third grade in the public schools of Oklahoma shall be assessed at the beginning, middle, and end of each school year using a screening instrument approved by the State Board of Education. Any student found not to be reading at grade level shall be provided an Individualized Program of Reading Instruction designed to enable the student to acquire the appropriate grade level reading skills. Diagnostic assessment shall be provided if determined appropriate, and progress monitoring shall continue throughout the year.

(b)   Student Reading Proficiency Team. For students found not to be reading at the corresponding grade level upon completion of an approved screening instrument, a Student Reading Proficiency Team shall be created. The following guidelines apply to Student Reading Proficiency Teams:

(1)   For a student not reading at the corresponding grade level in first grade or second grade as identified by an approved screening instrument, the Student Reading Proficiency Team shall develop an individualized program of reading instruction. The team shall be composed of:

(A)   The student's parent(s) or guardian(s);

(B)   The teacher assigned responsibility for the student's reading instruction in that academic year;

(C)   A teacher assigned responsibility for reading instruction in the student's next grade level; and

(D)   A certified reading specialist, if available.

(2)   For a third grade student who is not eligible for automatic promotion and who does not meet criteria on the reading foundations/processes and vocabulary portions of the thirdgrade assessment administered pursuant to 70 O.S. § 1210.508, a Probationary Promotion Reading Proficiency Team may evaluate the student for probationary promotion. Upon the unanimous recommendation of the Probationary Promotion Reading Proficiency Team and approval of the school principal and district superintendent, a student recommended for probationary promotion shall be promoted to fourth grade. The Probationary Promotion Reading Proficiency Team shall be composed of:

(A)   The student's parent(s) or guardian(s);

(B)   The teacher assigned responsibility for the student's reading instruction in that academic year;

(C)   A teacher assigned responsibility for reading instruction in the student's next grade level; and

(D)   A certified reading specialist.

(c)   Program requirements. Each program of reading instruction shall include provisions of the READ Initiative adopted by the school district as provided for in 70 O.S. § 1210.508C. For purposes of the Reading Sufficiency Act, a "program of reading instruction" shall be based upon a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) model, and shall include:

(1)   Tier I. Tier I, or core instruction, is research-based reading instruction for all students that is based on the science of how students learn to read and is aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards. Tier I instruction provides all students a minimum of ninety (90) minutes of reading instruction.

(2)    Tier II. Tier II intervention is supplemental, direct, research-based instruction based on the cognitive science of how students learn to read, designed to supplement core instruction and address students' reading skill deficits. Tier II intervention is:

(A)   Based on specific student needs;

(B)   Reflects the needed intensity and/or frequency as identified by an appropriate reading assessment; and

(C)   Is determined by the teacher responsible for grade level Tier I reading instruction, reading specialist (if available), and building principal.

(3)    Tier III. Tier III intervention is supplemental, direct, customized, and intensive research-based instruction based on the cognitive science of how students learn to read, designed to supplement core instruction and address students' reading skill deficits by targeting the area(s) of greatest need. Tier III intervention is:

(A)   Based on specific student needs;

(B)   Reflects the needed intensity and/or frequency as identified by a diagnostic assessment; and

(C)   Is determined by the teacher responsible for grade level Tier I reading instruction, reading specialist (if available), and building principal.

(d)   District review of program. Each district shall conduct a review of the program of reading instruction for all students who do not meet criteria on the reading foundations/processes and vocabulary portions of the third grade assessment and do not qualify for a good-cause exemption under 70 O.S. § 1210.508C. For each student retained under the provisions of the Reading Sufficiency Act, the school district shall require a student portfolio to be completed. The district review of each retained student's program of reading instruction shall address additional supports and services needed to remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency, which may include but not limited to:

(1)   Small group instruction;

(2)   Reduced teacher-student ratios;

(3)   More frequent progress monitoring;

(4)   Tutoring or mentoring;

(5)   Transition classes containing third and fourth grade students;

(6)   Extended school day, week, or year; and

(7)   Summer Academy Reading Programs as provided for in 70 O.S. § 1210.508E, if available.

(e)   Students approved for probationary promotion. For a student who is approved for probationary promotion, the Probationary Promotion Reading Proficiency Team shall continue to review the student's reading performance and repeat the evaluation and recommendation process described in 1210.508C each academic year until the student demonstrates grade-level reading proficiency on an approved screening instrument or transitions to another school. If a student who has been approved for probationary promotion transitions to another school before demonstrating grade-level proficiency on an approved screening instrument, a copy of the student's Individualized Program of Reading Instruction shall be provided to the student's subsequent school.

[Source: Added at 33 Ok Reg 699, eff 8-25-16; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 1196, eff 9-11-20]