The following is a press release from the Oklahoma State Department of Education:

OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHINES OUR SPOTLIGHT ON THE CLEVELAND TIGERS! KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE TIGERS, THEY ARE ON THE MOVE!

In Cleveland, Oklahoma, the Cleveland Tigers prioritize growth over grades. While all students receive traditional grades and assessments, the school also celebrates positive behavior referrals and achievements in academic growth. Additionally, both students and educators actively engage in setting goals, tracking progress, and enjoying support from administration.

During the 2024-2025 school year, Cleveland Primary and Intermediate Elementary schools began collaborating with the HEROES Literacy Team. Mrs. Kelli Sloan and Mrs. Leigh Ann Sheets lead the Primary Elementary School. Mr. Jeremy McKinney and Mrs. Kayla Allen lead the Intermediate Elementary School. Initial discussions focused on collecting and interpreting data to understand the school’s needs. During this time, Superintendent Sol Bayouth and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sherri Pankhurst applied for and secured the CLSD Grant, which enhanced literacy planning and collaboration.

In the summer of 2025, all administrators and educators at the primary elementary school underwent extensive training in Orton-Gillingham methods. This training allowed for a complete alignment of instructional strategies & language used across Tiers, Grade Level Teams, and Buildings. Structured literacy is required for Dyslexic learners and is beneficial to all learners. The alignment of resources and knowledge across the system ensures that struggling readers receive consistent instruction and sufficient practice. As students achieve proficiency, the foundational skills taught in the primary school connect to lessons in morphology and reading comprehension at the Intermediate level. Cleveland Intermediate has many educators trained in IMSE Orton Gillingham + and IMSE Morphology. By leveraging data, setting growth goals, and establishing sustainable systems, Cleveland is providing an environment that allows all students to thrive in a Dyslexia friendly environment. Cleveland educators will be prepared to pursue further training through IMSE to pursue CERI certification should they choose to specialize in Dyslexia Remediation.