Oklahoma educators are set to receive specialized training to better support children with dyslexia, thanks to a new law going into effect on July 1. Senator Carri Hicks, who is an educator herself, authored the bill which received unanimous approval in the 2025 legislative session. Under the new law, teachers who undergo training through programs like the Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) or the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) will be awarded micro-credentials, according to an announcement made by the Oklahoma Senate.
In an Oklahoma Senate's statement, Hicks emphasized the financial burden that can fall upon families seeking a dyslexia diagnosis for their children. "Obtaining a full medical diagnosis of dyslexia can cost families hundreds of dollars and is often required before students can access the specialized instruction they need," Hicks told the Oklahoma Senate. The upcoming law aims to alleviate this hardship by enabling teachers to more readily identify dyslexia in students, eliminating often costly medical diagnoses. The bipartisan support for Senate Bill 840, which Speaker Pro Tem Anthony Moore co-authored, indicates a shared commitment to ensuring such legislative measures truly assist students in need.
The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability is now charged with developing rules for issuing these micro-credentials. The new guidelines will ensure that teachers who complete the required training will be formally recognized for their ability to help students facing challenges associated with dyslexia.
Speaker Pro Tem Moore spoke to the far-reaching impact the law is set to have. "Properly identifying dyslexia can be life-changing for students – it opens the door to targeted instruction and academic success," Moore said, as reported by the Oklahoma Senate. Moore looks forward to watching the law begin to quickly make a difference, projecting optimism for the benefits it could provide Oklahoma students and families as early as the coming school year.
