Oregon Lawmakers Unite to Fund Summer Reading Programs for Struggling Students with New House Bill
House Bill 2007, legislation seeking to expand access to summer literacy programs, especially for students reading below grade level, was unanimously passed in the Oregon House of Representatives.
Oregon Summer Literacy Program Additional Funding For Learners Who Read Below Grade Level
Oregon House Bill 2007 will make grants available to school districts, public charter schools, education service districts, and federally recognized tribes to offer summer reading programs through the Department of Education (ODE).
Sources: Oregon Capital Chronicle on statewide reading gaps, ODE and Governor’s Office on summer learning funding for 2024-2025
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The department will prioritize funding for programs serving students with the lowest reading proficiency and those in underserved areas.
To meet the needs of Oregon students, the programs to be funded will combine structured literacy instruction with culturally responsive practices and enrichment activities.
Senators from both sides of the political divide have been vocal about getting kids back on track. They said that passing HB 2007 means that state spending goes to the students who need it the most, and children benefit from programs proven to have the most significant impact.
House Bill 2007 includes:
- Accountability measures to ensure program effectiveness,
- Detailed reporting on student progress and demographics,
- Caps on administrative spending, and
- Flexibility for key expenses like curriculum, instructional staff, transportation, and meals.
Prior statewide investment aimed to reach up to 50,000 students
General Fund support for the 2025 Summer Learning Grant
General Fund backing for 2026 and start of 2027 programs
Sources: Oregon Governor’s Office/ODE 2024 summer learning update; Oregon Legislature fiscal impact for HB 5047
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The bill is expected to ensure schools use proven strategies to help Oregonian children while effectively and efficiently using public dollars. It will take effect immediately upon passage and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
| Focus area | What HB 2007 emphasizes |
|---|---|
| Who gets priority | Programs serving students with the lowest reading proficiency and underserved areas |
| Instruction model | Structured literacy paired with culturally responsive practices and enrichment |
| Accountability | Student progress and demographic reporting tied to grant expectations |
| Allowable costs | Curriculum, instructional staff, transportation, and meals, with limits on admin costs |
This means school districts can start planning for summer 2025 programming.
- 2024 – State launches a major summer learning push with $30M.
- Early 2025 – HB 2007 introduced to stabilize and expand literacy grants.
- Apr 2025 – House passes HB 2007 unanimously.
- Apr 30 2025 – Kotek signs HB 2007 and HB 5047.
- Summer 2025 – $35M funding supports statewide programs.
Good.And needed after rump and the NAZI muskrat destroyed the Department of Education.