In the news
Reading advocates call for lawmakers to invest millions more into Oregon’s early literacy efforts
“I just keep reminding people that $300 million is a drop in the bucket,” said Sarah Pope, who heads Stand for Children, a nonprofit that has been at the center of the push for the overhaul in early literacy. “It cost over a billion dollars in our system if we don’t get kids in that third grade benchmark.”
OPINION: oregon kids need legislators to triple down on literacy support
“When we fail to invest in our children, we risk losing a generation of potential leaders, innovators and engaged citizens.
Now is the time for action..”

Report: Measure 98′s targeted spending has helped Oregon high schools, despite lagging graduation rates
“Not only have more students graduated since Measure 98 was implemented, but fewer students have dropped out.”
Students nationwide have rebounded after pandemic. But not in Oregon. Consequences could be severe
“‘Oregon’s results are unacceptable. Our educators and children are just as talented as the educators and children in every other state,’ Pope said. She decried the lack of ‘a statewide, focused, research-based strategy. The research is clear on what accelerates student learning, and our state didn’t insist we do that with these funds.'”

Ridgeview High student Jordan Jensen overcomes challenges, receives ‘Beat the Odds’ scholarship
“Jordan is one of just eight students in Oregon to receive the 2025 scholarship, reflecting his remarkable resilience and commitment to achieving his goals despite a difficult upbringing.”

Why Oregon schools’ pandemic recovery lags behind much of the nation
“Pope points out that many states with high performance on the recovery efforts – like Tennessee and Ohio – had strong directives from state leadership in implementing interventions including statewide tutoring, summer learning opportunities and teacher training.”
Opinion: To improve education, target funding on proven measures
“High-quality education deserves a significant investment from our state. However, money must be spent on what works. If we do that at scale and statewide, we can create a brighter future for us all, and most importantly, our children.”
Cultivating college-going: A low-income rural school in Oregon shines at propelling graduates into higher education
“At prestigious East Coast schools, she said, many of her peers had been groomed since birth to be at that level. But she counts herself lucky to come from the tiny junior/senior high, where she says teachers, community members and older students looked out for her during six formative years and pushed her to develop the extracurricular and leadership roles she’d need to succeed.”

Oregon must commit to the early literacy success initiative
“Improving student outcomes in Oregon requires this level of commitment – both in policy and in funding – to effective, systematic, evidence-based literacy practices in the early grades across all of our schools.”
Stand for Children champions education equity and racial justice in Oregon’s public schools.
With a small but mighty staff of six, we pride ourselves on our effectiveness and child-centered focus.