BEND, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) announced Tuesday it must shut down five student instructional programs after the U.S. Department of Education abruptly terminated more than $2.5 million in COVID-era funds. The programs were aimed at improving student math and literacy at a time when assessment data shows Oregon students struggling in both.
The cutting of funds was effective March 28, 10 months earlier than anticipated, ODE said.
The following programs are being shut down (program descriptions come from ODE):
- Math Instructional Framework – Development of a math instructional framework to ensure students across the state are receiving the highest quality math instruction to support their learning and boost their outcomes.
- Oregon Literacy Practitioners Network – Establishment of a network of Oregon literacy ambassadors sharing best practices among educators to improve the quality of literacy instruction students receive around the state.
- Oregon Adolescent Literacy Framework Professional Learning Resources – Development of training modules, a collection of research and other literacy resources, as well as practical tools to support educators implementing the newly released Oregon Adolescent Literacy Framework for grades 6-12 in their classroom instruction.
- Instructional Framework – Development (including research and engagement) of a statewide instructional framework so that regardless of zip code Oregon students can count on excellent instruction.
- Regional In-Person Training For Educators – In partnership with Oregon’s Education Service Districts, provide five summits throughout the state (along with a communication campaign) for teams to use the new instructional resources in Early and Adolescent Literacy and prepare to bring this learning into their schools and classrooms.
The National Assessment for Educational Progress, often referred to as the nation’s report card, reported in January that Oregon’s fourth and eighth graders scored in the bottom half of all states in math and reading proficiency in tests last year…