a foundation for lifelong learning
Did you know that children’s brains develop faster in their first eight years than at any other point in their lives? Those years are such critical learning years – it’s when many kids are set on a path to a life of curiosity, continued learning, and success.
For others, issues in our system block that path. For kids who don’t learn to read in those early years (specifically by third grade) their chances of dropping out of high school increase by four times.
The Early Literacy Success Initiative
Stand for Children is working on clearing those roadblocks by championing the Early Literacy Success Initiative, which was passed by Oregon lawmakers in 2023. This marks a historic commitment to research-backed policies. School districts now have targeted, statewide resources to invest in research-backed strategies that are proven to help children learn to read.
In 2025, Stand for Children will advocate for the state to fully fund the Early Literacy Success Initiative, ensuring every Oregon student, especially those facing barriers, can read proficiently by third grade—an essential step toward equity and opportunity.
THe early literacy success initiative provides funding for:
- High-dosage tutoring
- Coaching to keep educators up-to-date on the latest research proven teaching methods
- Adoption of curriculum aligned with the science of reading and culturally relevant instruction materials
- Summer learning opportunities
SUPPORTING EDUCATORS IN THE CLASSROOM
The Early Literacy Success Initiative has the potential to change outcomes for students across the state. And the need is great; before the pandemic, only 46% of all students were reading proficiently by the end of third grade. By supporting districts to invest in research-backed strategies, we expect to see measurable improvements in the coming years.
Now begins the important work of supporting educators in the classroom to ensure the policies in the bill are implemented in a way that makes a difference for students.
To ensure the legislation is maximized to improve literacy outcomes statewide, in 2024 we launched the Early Literacy Demonstration Sites. These elementary schools were selected because they are leading the way when it comes to reading, and we want to showcase what they are doing, help them learn together to maximize this new funding and become models for the state.
By partnering with schools at the forefront of closing the literacy opportunity gap, Stand for Children Oregon is working to ensure that every child, regardless of background, gains the skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.
