September 26, 2023 4:30 p.m. 

On Monday, Governor Tina Kotek joined the first meeting of the Early Literacy Educator Prep Council to set her vision for the work ahead, which is aimed at raising the bar on elementary educator preparation for reading and writing instruction.

Kotek said, “There is no question that our reading proficiency rates are unacceptable and that we have more work to do to help children learn to read so they can read to learn. We must be determined and focused in this work”. Kotek said even before she came into this office, she heard from parents that children are not receiving consistent reading and writing instruction from school to school. Kotek said, “How we prepare new educators is key to a sustainable solution”.

A release said the Governor’s vision for the council to strive toward is:

*Each child must have access to consistent, culturally responsive, and research-aligned literacy instruction

*All parents and caregivers must be supported as full partners in their children’s literacy development, starting at birth and

*Every elementary teacher prepared in an Oregon educator prep program must leave knowing how to teach and assess reading and writing in developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive and research-aligned ways

The council is made up of 20 members, including teachers, principals, representatives from education preparation programs, early literacy experts, and bipartisan appointments from the House and Senate.

A recording of the first meeting is linked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnQir7BBez0