Oklahoma's incoming state superintendent is already raising questions about one of the state's most consequential education laws before he even takes office. Robert Franklin, who won the election to become the state's next superintendent, said implementing the Strong Readers Act's third-grade reading retention provisions will require input from educators and additional support for students who struggle with reading.
Franklin made the comments in a November 4 interview with News On 6, where he questioned whether holding a student back from fourth-grade math opportunities because they need additional reading help is actually the best approach. He pointed specifically to the law's mechanics, saying that if students are not meeting a particular threshold and a review committee is looking at their case, then they don't move forward. Franklin has worked as a teacher and administrator over the years, including stints as a special education teacher and a high school principal.
The Strong Readers Act, as Oklahoma's reading law is known, includes mandatory screeners, tiered interventions and third-grade reading retention for students not reading at grade level, according to the same report from News On 6. Questions about how the law will work in practice remain part of the debate.
A Law With a Complicated History
Oklahoma's path to third-grade retention has not been a straight line. The Oklahoma Policy Institute notes that the state actually did away with the option of retaining students in third grade who were reading below grade level back in 2024, before several leading legislators pushed to reinstate literacy-based retention ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1778 on April 21, 2026, which the Oklahoma Senate described as strengthening the Strong Readers Act, according to a Oklahoma Senate announcement.
The Numbers Behind the Debate
The stakes become clearer when looking at how Oklahoma third graders have actually performed. Only 27% of third-grade students met reading standards, scoring proficient or advanced, on 2024-25 state test results, per reporting from The OU Daily.
A separate accounting from The 74 similarly found that 27% of Oklahoma students scored at or above grade level in English language arts statewide, while 36% scored below basic. Those figures underscore the scale of the reading challenge facing Oklahoma schools.
Concerns Over Testing and Timing
Franklin's skepticism toward parts of the law isn't new. In that same runoff debate, he objected to testing second graders using a third-grade assessment, arguing it just creates more test anxiety for young students.
Implementing the Law
Franklin has emphasized that implementing the law will require thoughtful discussions with educators and other stakeholders rather than a one-size-fits-all mandate.
Franklin's Broader Message to Schools
Beyond the reading law, Franklin used the interview to lay out some early priorities as he prepares to take over as the state's superintendent. He said parents are their children's first teachers and should remain involved in their education, and he urged families to stay connected with teachers and schools.
Franklin also urged Oklahoma teachers to maintain their passion and dedication, saying he hopes they will see consistency as he enters the superintendent role. He said students should be allowed to excel where they can and receive support where they struggle, with teachers helping guide that balance. He encouraged students to use every learning opportunity, challenge themselves, and listen to teachers who push them toward their potential, telling them not to waste a minute of learning.
