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Committee backs amended bill to target summer learning grants at reading proficiency
Summary
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means recommended House Bill 2007, as amended, which shifts the Summer Learning Grant Program to prioritize reading proficiency and establishes ongoing reporting and a continuously appropriated fund.
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means on April 3 recommended House Bill 2007 be passed as amended (A‑4), directing the Oregon Department of Education to prioritize summer learning grants toward improving reading proficiency.
A staff summary presented to the committee described the bill as modifying the Department of Education’s Summer Learning Program to “focus on improving reading proficiency,” establishing a grant program with eligibility requirements and minimum program hours, and directing the department to prioritize grants for programs that use research‑aligned literacy strategies and serve students in areas with the lowest rates of reading proficiency.
The bill also contains annual reporting requirements and directs the department to review statewide academic outcomes to determine priority areas in future biennia. The summary added that House Bill 2007 “establishes the Summer Learning Grant Program Fund. The monies deposited in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Department of Education for purposes of issuing Summer Learning Grants.” The education subcommittee recommended adoption of the A‑4 amendment and reported the bill “due pass as amended.”
Representative Jason Drazen asked whether the bill retains a previous focus on historically underserved students or now prioritizes lowest reading proficiency. Representative Ruiz responded: “When we look at the the requirement the data on on how our students are doing, there is no question that reading proficiency was something we had to focus given the limited resources that we have... we are gonna be prioritizing those students with the lowest reading proficiency.”
Senator Bonham said he had voted against the original summer learning funding in 2024 but added, “to the extent that we're going to prioritize reading, I think that's absolutely the right way to go. So I will support House Bill 2,007 A.” The committee recorded no objections when adopting the amendment and reported the measure to be carried to the House floor.
