Literacy Professional Development

The OEQA Early Literacy Academy was established by Senate Bill 1778 (2026), codified at 70 O.S. § 1210.508H(J). The legislation establishes intensive teacher training academies delivered by Oklahoma universities and taught by current practitioners.

The academies provide 40 hours of instruction over one to two weeks, with a focus on:

• Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
• The science of reading
• Standards-aligned early literacy instruction

Each Oklahoma public school may send one certified staff member serving students in kindergarten through grade 3 to attend an academy at no cost. Participants who successfully complete the academy are eligible to receive a $3,000 stipend. 

The next opportunity for participation will be June 2027. For questions about the Early Literacy Academy, please contact info@oeqa.ok.gov.

To receive a stipend, eligible participants must complete the Stipend Application Form.

You will need your State of Oklahoma Supplier ID number to complete the form. If you have not yet registered as a supplier, please follow the Supplier Registration Instructions before submitting your stipend application.

After all academies are completed, OEQA will provide the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) with the list of participants who successfully completed the academy and are eligible for a stipend. The OSDE Literacy Office will then process stipend payments for eligible participants who have submitted the required information.

Please allow up to 45 days after payment documentation has been submitted for processing to receive your stipend.

For questions about stipend applications or payments, please contact Dylan Savage at  dylan.savage@sde.ok.gov.

The removal of the 10% professional development spending requirement under SB1778 means districts are no longer obligated to meet this mandate, and the former approved literacy professional development list has been transitioned to guidance only. This resource is intended to help districts identify high‑quality, science of reading aligned literacy professional development; however, it is not an approved list, and districts are not required to select offerings from it.