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).

Tidings Data Snapshot

Oregon Summer Literacy – Need and New Funding
~10 ptsOregon ELA proficiency still about 10 points below 2019 levels in recent statewide results
$35MState Summer Learning Grant funding tied to HB 2007 for summer 2025 programs
$30MEarlier statewide summer learning investment in 2024 that aimed to reach up to 50,000 students

Sources: Oregon Capital Chronicle on statewide reading gaps, ODE and Governor's Office on summer learning funding for 2024-2025DailyTidings.com

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.

Tidings Data Snapshot
State Summer Learning Investments (Recent)
2024 summer learning – $30M
Prior statewide investment aimed to reach up to 50,000 students
2025 program funding – $35M
General Fund support for the 2025 Summer Learning Grant
2026-27 support – $47M
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
Dailytidings.com

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 areaWhat HB 2007 emphasizes
Who gets priorityPrograms serving students with the lowest reading proficiency and underserved areas
Instruction modelStructured literacy paired with culturally responsive practices and enrichment
AccountabilityStudent progress and demographic reporting tied to grant expectations
Allowable costsCurriculum, instructional staff, transportation, and meals, with limits on admin costs

This means school districts can start planning for summer 2025 programming.

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  1. Bandit

    Good.And needed after rump and the NAZI muskrat destroyed the Department of Education.

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