Early Literacy in the Community and at Home

In 2023, the Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Legislature launched the Early Literacy Success Initiative to build momentum and capacity around early literacy development and to provide funding to strengthen literacy instruction across Oregon.  

One of the four components of the Early Success Initiative—the Early Literacy Success Community Grants—focuses on supporting the efforts of families and communities as they help children develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.  As part of its work to develop the new community grants program, ODE began work to create a framework and toolkit for community-based organizations, groups, and entities.

ODE partnered with Oregon Kitchen Table (OKT) to hear from community groups and families of young children throughout Oregon about what guidance, tools, and resources would be helpful for growing and developing early literacy supports. 

The engagement period ran from early February 2024 through mid-April 2024.

Nearly 800 people from across Oregon participated in the various engagement activities. People participated in eleven languages. Over 70% of participants were from groups that experience disparities in educational outcomes. Nearly half of participants prefer to receive information in a language other than English.