In the news
IN BEAVERTON SCHOOLS, TRACKING ABSENTEEISM – AND THE IMPACTS OF THE IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN – IN REAL TIME
“When we see states that have made gains, it starts with more regularly collecting and reporting out on the data,” Pope said. “It is not the only step, but it is often the first step and Oregon needs to start.”
SCHOOLED BY MISSISSIPPI: MISSISSIPPI’S READING TURNAROUND, BUILT ON “THE SCIENCE OF READING,” HOLDS LESSONS FOR OREGON
In 2013, Mississippi made some dramatic shifts in how they teach reading – they now see some of the highest reading proficiency rates in the nation. Sarah Pope, Executive Director, sits down with the Oregon Journalism Project to talk about the barriers that keep Oregon students behind.
OREGON CITY SCHOOL LEADING EFFORT ON LITERACY PROGRAM
Deborah Knapp at KATU visits Holcomb Elementary, one of the schools in our Demonstration Network. Our executive director, Sarah Pope, sits down with Knapp to share how we are helping schools put research into practice and utilize their Early Literacy Success Initiative dollars to help all kids read by third grade.
DESPITE MODEST IMPROVEMENT, THE OREGON EDUCATION SYSTEM FACES A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY
Sarah Pope, Executive Director of Stand Oregon, joins Debora Knapp to break down what’s moving the dial for Oregon students – and the barriers still holding progress back.
OVER A THIRD OF OREGON STUDENTS STILL AREN’T CONSISTENTLY ATTENDING SCHOOL
Executive Director of Stand Oregon, Sarah Pope, joins Willamette Week and the Oregon Journalism Project to discuss the recent attendance data release.
OREGON FACES SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CRISIS
Sarah Pope, Executive Director of Stand Oregon, joins KPTV to discuss the pervasive issue of Chronic Absenteeism and how we can improve school attendance in Oregon.
PANDEMIC BABIES HIT KINDERGARTEN
Stand Oregon Executive Director, Sarah Pope, was interviewed by KGW, to discuss first class of “pandemic babies” entering the school system and how caregivers can prepare children for school transitions.
ADVOCACY GROUP SEEKS $300 MILLION TO BOOST READING PROFICIENCY
Before the legislative session ended, Sarah Pope, Executive Director at Stand Oregon, sat down with journalist Deborah Knapp on KATU2 to discuss why Stand pushed so hard for full funding of the Early Literacy Success Initiative. Strong leadership and targeting investment are critical for ensuring Oregon’s students gain the foundational reading skills they need to succeed.
OREGON EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES RANKED AT BOTTOM NATIONALLY: HOW WE CAN IMPROVE
Sarah Pope, Executive Director for Stand Oregon, recently had the chance to join Angela Wilhelms on the Business Matters podcast. They talked about why Oregon is in the bottom nationally when it comes to most measures of educational outcomes and what we can do about it.
STUDENT JOURNALIST REPORTS ON EFFICACY OF EARLY LITERACY SUCCESS GRANTS
Meghan Whitten, a junior at Lincoln High School and the managing print editor of The Cardinal Times, recently reported on Stand for Children Oregon’s advocacy for a $300 million investment in the Early Literacy Success Initiative School Grants. This initiative aims to enhance early literacy among Oregon’s K–3 students.
OREGON’S SHORT SCHOOL YEARS WORSEN EFFECTS OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
A student who is chronically absent in Oregon will have missed about 75% of a school year by the end of fourth grade.
Bethel sees improvements in student literacy with ‘science of reading’
Students across Oregon are still struggling with reading and writing – but a Eugene area district says it’s seeing improvements with the help of the “science of reading.”
Oregon’s graduation rate increases show a proven path forward
Each student who graduates represents both a personal achievement and also a step toward a stronger Oregon. These graduates are the innovators, problem-solvers and leaders who will drive Oregon’s economy forward.
OPINION: oregon kids need legislators to triple down on literacy support
“When we fail to invest in our children, we risk losing a generation of potential leaders, innovators and engaged citizens.
Now is the time for action..”
Report: Measure 98′s targeted spending has helped Oregon high schools, despite lagging graduation rates
“Not only have more students graduated since Measure 98 was implemented, but fewer students have dropped out.”
Students nationwide have rebounded after pandemic. But not in Oregon. Consequences could be severe
“‘Oregon’s results are unacceptable. Our educators and children are just as talented as the educators and children in every other state,’ Pope said. She decried the lack of ‘a statewide, focused, research-based strategy. The research is clear on what accelerates student learning, and our state didn’t insist we do that with these funds.’”
Ridgeview High student Jordan Jensen overcomes challenges, receives ‘Beat the Odds’ scholarship
“Jordan is one of just eight students in Oregon to receive the 2025 scholarship, reflecting his remarkable resilience and commitment to achieving his goals despite a difficult upbringing.”
Why Oregon schools’ pandemic recovery lags behind much of the nation
“Pope points out that many states with high performance on the recovery efforts – like Tennessee and Ohio – had strong directives from state leadership in implementing interventions including statewide tutoring, summer learning opportunities and teacher training.”
OPINION: tO IMPROVE eDUCATION, tARGET fUNDING oN pROVEN mEASURES
“High-quality education deserves a significant investment from our state. However, money must be spent on what works. If we do that at scale and statewide, we can create a brighter future for us all, and most importantly, our children.”
CULTIVATING COLLEGE-GOING: A LOW-INCOME RURAL SCHOOL IN OREGON SHINES AT PROPELLING GRADUATES INTO HIGHER-EDUCATION
“At prestigious East Coast schools, she said, many of her peers had been groomed since birth to be at that level. But she counts herself lucky to come from the tiny junior/senior high, where she says teachers, community members, and older students looked out for her during six formative years and pushed her to develop the extracurricular and leadership roles she’d need to succeed.”
OREGON MUST COMMIT TO THE EARLY LITERACY SUCCESS INITIATIVE
“Improving student outcomes in Oregon requires this level of commitment – both in policy and in funding – to effective, systematic, evidence-based literacy practices in the early grades across all of our schools.”
