
The Oklahoma Legislature passed 70 O.S. § 1210.508H in 2023, which established a three-year pilot program to employ a literacy instructional team to support school districts in implementing the requirements of the Reading Sufficiency Act, now known as the Strong Readers Act. Placed regionally across the state, the HEROES literacy team is prepared to deploy professional development and ongoing coaching cycles regionally including support for district administration designing sustainable systems to Help Elevate Reading Outcomes for Every Student.
Important Links and Documents
School and District Coaching
The primary purpose of the HEROES Literacy Instructional Team is to provide literacy coaching for high-needs schools and districts in Oklahoma. Team members work with district- and site-level administrators and educators to identify the site's needs and develop a plan to meet those needs.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting students across Oklahoma in every community. Early identification and evidence-based interventions are critical to helping students with dyslexia thrive. OSDE is working to strengthen supports through teacher training, screening tools, and best literacy practices. Check out a few of the resources for teachers and families below.
Statewide Professional Development
Join the HEROES team this summer as they take the show on the road! The kickoff to Oklahoma’s Pages Across the Plains Summer Literacy Workshops will be the OKC Literacy Symposium. This event is a free, full-day professional learning event happening Friday, June 6, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Edmond Conference Center. This event is designed for Oklahoma teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and instructional leaders, featuring engaging sessions, evidence-based strategies, and collaborative learning—all focused on strengthening literacy outcomes. Space is limited- register today!
Can’t make it to Edmond? Pages Across the Plains is coming to you! Additional dates and locations across Oklahoma are listed below. More details coming soon for each location.
- July 14: Enid, OK
- July 15: Woodward, OK
- July 16: Guymon, OK
- July 17: Elk City, OK
- July 18: Altus, OK
- July 21: Ardmore, OK
- July 22: Idabel, OK
- July 23: Atoka
- July 24: Muskogee, OK
- July 25: Broken Arrow, OK
Contact Information
- Megan Ashbaugh
Program Manager, Literacy
(405) 521-3363 - Classie Nolan
Regional Literacy Coordinator
(405) 521-2784 - Traci Ellison
Regional Literacy Coordinator
(405) 522-2366 - Lindsay Sizemore
Regional Literacy Coordinator
(405) 521-2793 - Lisa Harper
Regional Literacy Coordinator
(405) 521-2796 - Karla Jordan
Regional Literacy Coordinator
(405) 522-1718 - Kiley Aleman
State Dyslexia Coordinator
(405) 522-6261