Why Oregon's Reading Crisis Needs a Fresh Approach

Oregon is facing a serious issue with student literacy. Governor Tina Kotek is pushing for better reading education, but the state's universities are not fully on board.

The Governor's Panel and University Responses

The governor formed a panel to improve how future teachers are trained. The panel suggested using more research-backed teaching methods. However, many universities say they don't need to change much.

Only a few schools, like George Fox and Western Oregon University, have plans to make significant changes. Most universities claim their current methods are already effective.

Literacy Advocates and Current Statistics

Literacy advocates are not happy. They point out that only 42% of third graders in Oregon can read well. Many school districts have already spent a lot of money to retrain teachers. Now, they want universities to update their curricula.

Inconsistencies in Teacher Training

For years, Oregon's teacher training has been inconsistent. Universities have relied on faculty experience rather than following a set approach. The new push for early literacy goes against what some universities have been doing.

State Regulators and University Adjustments

State regulators acknowledge that the new standards are a big change. However, they say universities are working together to make thoughtful adjustments.

Without detailed syllabi, it's hard to evaluate whether courses meet the new standards. Only six universities submitted detailed syllabi, while the rest provided general descriptions.

University-Specific Responses

Some universities, like the University of Oregon, claim their current courses already meet the new standards. Others, like Portland State, have closed their reading specialist programs to make improvements.

Teacher Experiences and University Changes

Teachers have mixed experiences. Some say their training was excellent, while others found their programs lacking. Dorothy Valentine, a second-grade teacher, switched universities because her initial program did not align with the science of reading.

A few universities are making changes. George Fox University is updating its syllabi and adding a new course. Western Oregon University is reviewing its assessments and rubrics.

State Oversight and Potential Models

The state's oversight role is limited. Oregon has been criticized for its lack of oversight over educator preparation programs. Unlike other states, Oregon does not have specific literacy exams for teachers.

Some states, like Mississippi and Indiana, have made significant improvements in literacy. They have invested in training and oversight. Oregon is now reviewing potential oversight models.

Collaboration and Future Outlook

As state officials focus on collaboration, students who were kindergarteners when Kotek first ran for governor are now in third grade. Newer teachers say the science-backed methods they learned were crucial in helping students read confidently.