Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.508Bv2: Legislative findings - Purpose - Reading goal.

A. The Legislature finds that it is essential for children in the public schools to read early and well in elementary school. The Legislature further finds that clear and visible goals, assessments to determine the reading level at each elementary school, annual measurements of elementary school reading improvement, and accountability in each level of the educational system will result in a significant increase in the number of children reading at or above grade level.

B. The purpose of the Reading Sufficiency Act is to ensure that each child attains the necessary reading skills by completion of the third grade which will enable that student to continue development of reading skills and to succeed throughout school and life.

C. Each public school district in this state shall ensure that instructional time each day of the school year in kindergarten through third grade is focused on reading and mathematics. The State Board of Education shall encourage school districts to integrate the teaching of the other curricular areas in the Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) adopted by the Board with the instruction of reading and mathematics.

D. The reading goal for Oklahoma public schools is as follows: By May 1, 2007, and each year thereafter, ninety percent (90%) or more of all third-grade students, excluding those students who have individualized education programs in an area related to reading, pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), limited English proficiency, or for whom English is a second language, will read at or above grade level by the end of their third-grade year. To achieve the reading goal, each public elementary school shall:

1. Determine its baseline no later than May 1, 2002, which shall be the percentage of students reading at or above third-grade level as determined by Section 1210.508C of this title; and

2. Set and achieve annual improvement goals necessary to progress from the baseline established in 2002 to the reading goal of ninety percent (90%) by May 1, 2007. The annual improvement goals shall be included in the district's reading sufficiency plan required in Section 1210.508C of this title.

E. The primary standard for evaluating an elementary school on a district's reading instruction will be whether it results in improvement toward meeting the reading goal.