Oklahoma's new schools chief faces $2027 literacy deadline

Robert Franklin has less than a year to implement a new state reading law before it reaches its most stringent phase. The new Oklahoma Superintendent-elect faces a deadline in the 2027-28 school year when third graders who fail two reading assessments will be required to repeat the grade. This mandate is part of the Strong Readers Act, which was signed into law this spring.

Franklin won the election on Tuesday, securing 66% of the vote against Democrat Jennettie Marshall. He is one of only two candidates for statewide office to win all 77 counties in Oklahoma. The other winner, Republican state Treasurer-elect Cindy Byrd, did not face a Democratic opponent. Franklin, a 67-year-old educator from Sand Springs, began working on the transition within 24 hours of the election. By late Wednesday afternoon, he had spoken with a local district superintendent about preparing for the literacy law and exchanged messages with Gov.-elect Mike Mazzei.

Franklin describes the task ahead as a "behemoth" challenge involving Oklahoma's bottom-ranking reading and math scores. He called the work "encouraging" and "daunting." "It's an all-hands-on-deck kind of moment," Franklin said. "We've got a lot of work to do." He plans to bring educators and experts together to create a plan before high-stakes testing begins. The Education Department will allocate resources and provide professional development, while teachers and district leaders handle classroom instruction.

Franklin is stepping into a role that has seen significant leadership changes recently. Former Superintendent Ryan Walters resigned in September 2025 after a tenure marked by partisan rhetoric and controversy. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Lindel Fields and a "turnaround team" to lead the department for the final 15 months of Walters' term. Fields focused on stabilizing the agency. In a statement through his communications office, Fields said he and his staff "intend to do all that's possible to ensure a smooth, uneventful transition." Fields, who did not run for re-election, called Franklin a "highly-qualified educational leader" who is ready to work.

Franklin said it is unclear how many members of Fields' team will stay with the agency long term. He intends to meet with the current administration to determine their plans. He also plans to review a rule from the Walters era that linked school accreditation to academic test results. That rule recently led to accreditation downgrades for dozens of districts with low scores. Franklin said he will also push for federal approval to change student assessment methods from annual exams to benchmark tests given throughout the year.

The new administration will also address a teacher shortage and add behavioral health specialists to schools. These were major priorities during Franklin's campaign. He emphasized that his approach will focus on students rather than partisan politics. "I think there is a mindset out there that says we don't have to be ugly and politically divisive to lean in and support the work of schools," Franklin said. He noted that voters who were initially dismissive of his candidacy realized they shared the goal of supporting children.

Gov.-elect Mike Mazzei has pledged to support the new reading law. He plans to hire a statewide literacy director to oversee its implementation. Mazzei stated during a Wednesday news conference that fixing schools is not a partisan issue. "It's about giving every child in Oklahoma the opportunity to succeed," Mazzei said. Franklin expects to align with Mazzei on major goals, though he anticipates some differences in tactical approaches. "I bet you a dollar to a donut, we're going to be in complete accord with our outcomes that we want to achieve," Franklin said.

The next weeks will focus on staffing and building relationships with state legislators and the incoming governor. Franklin aims to establish the right structure at the Education Department. He will work with regional centers to serve local schools. The state's education system enters this transition with a clear legislative mandate and a new leader who promises a less divisive approach.