Governor's education initiatives director outlines $100 million early-literacy push and Dolly Parton match

Jana Tims, the governor's newly appointed education initiatives director, told the Early Learning Council the governor's recommended budget includes $100,000,000 aimed at early literacy work, supplementing roughly $90 million appropriated in the previous biennium. She said the administration is working with DELC and ODE to shape professional development, tribal hubs and a coherent accountability system for birth-to-five literacy.

"There is a $100,000,000 for early literacy work," Tims said, adding that the proposal would build on earlier appropriations. She highlighted the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and noted a $2,200,000 match to the program that the administration is pursuing and seeking to codify in statute. Tims said that program already covers nearly all counties and that the office is coordinating with DELC and ODE to ensure books and literacy supports reach birth-to-five children across the state.

The council discussed next steps to support the administration's work, including aligning DELC's birth-to-five literacy report recommendations with ODE plans and monitoring statutory language the governor's office intends to pursue. Council members signaled interest in continuing to elevate early literacy during the legislative session and coordinating with hub directors and tribal partners to ensure geographic equity.