What Oregon Can Learn From Mississippi

Historically, Oregonians have prided ourselves on being fiercely independent but when it comes to our kids and reading, it’s time to shelve our ego and learn from those who are leading the way. Mississippi isn’t just ahead of Oregon in literacy growth - they’re ahead of all other 48 states!

LETRS is a big part of that: Mississippi has trained 13,000 of their teachers in the program and it’s why we’re advocating for the same professional development for our own teachers.

This op-ed from American Public Media reporter Emily Hanford just came out yesterday and is a quick, deeply inspiring read. (If Emily’s name sounds familiar it’s because she’s referenced in our first post - her research is what inspired Oregon Kids Read in the first place.)

Thanks for reading!

Angela

Give K-3 Teachers What They Need To Help Kids Become Readers!

Our recent Oregonian op-ed has people talking!

We’re so glad because this is what it’s all about: Oregonians coming together to advocate for all of our kids when it comes to reading, especially our struggling readers. Each and every one of them deserves the opportunity to transform their lives through reading.

If you have a minute, check out the opinion piece and please share it with friends.

Thanks for reading!

Angela

When We Know Better, We Do Better

Today my oldest daughter turned 9 years old.

When she was in the first grade and starting to make sense of reading, we talked about how books can be so many things: a guide, an escape, an adventure. When she was in second grade, my daughter stomped around the house, upset about a fight with her sister. She grabbed a story, curled up in a chair and said: “See Mommy, I’m making myself feel better.” Reading can also be a comfort - if you know how do it.

All of our kids deserve to learn how to read. Even though research proves that they’re capable of it, nearly half of Oregon students aren’t reading at grade level. This isn’t just a state issue. Millions of kids across the country are struggling too.

Over the past three years, American Public Media reporter Emily Hanford has read thousands of pages of research, interviewed hundreds of teachers, parents and struggling readers and visited nine states. Emily’s article “Hard Words: Why Aren’t Kids Being Taught To Read?” explores what we’ve been doing wrong - and how we can do better. This is the inspiration behind the “Oregon Kids Read” petition.

Thanks for reading!

Angela