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Department of Early Learning and Care

Birth Through Five Literacy Plan

Early Literacy begins at home, where parents and caregivers are a child's first teacher.

Introduction

Why is early literacy important? 
Science tells us that babies develop literacy skills from birth. This means that giving support to parents and caregivers, a child’s first teacher, is an important part of school readiness.  

Literacy begins at birth. 
The first sounds a child may hear or see (signed) are the voices of the people in their home environment, building neural pathways and serving as the initial source of knowledge about language and their world. Families and caregivers are the first partners in oral language development that cultivates later success in literacy and life.

How early literacy at home and in community supports success in school: 
Outside of school, children spend most of their lives at home or in the community. Parents and caregivers have a role to play in supporting the learning that happens at school as much as possible at home. Families and caregivers deserve support as full partners in their children’s literacy development. Children’s literacy learning is deepened through their every day life experiences, where their unique languages, cultures, and identities are affirmed by families and caregivers who serve as important first teachers.

Before a child learns to read and write, they learn to listen and speak in their home language. This aspect of parent engagement was brought up consistently in the Early Literacy Success Initiative. This theme helped to to inform the development of HB 3198 and is strongly supported on a bipartisan basis. 

A teacher reads to young children in a classroom

In 2023, through the leadership of Governor Kotek, the Oregon Legislature established early literacy as a top priority. In creating the Early Literacy Success Initiative, they identified five goals:

  • Increase early literacy for children from birth to third grade;
  • Reduce literacy academic disparities for student groups that have historically experienced academic disparities;
  • Increase support to parents and guardians to enable them to be partners in the development of their children’s literacy skills and knowledge;
  • Increase access to early literacy learning through support that is research-aligned, culturally responsive, student-centered and family-centered; and
  • Expand and develop language revitalization efforts by federally recognized Indian tribes in this state

These goals will be accomplished through four initiatives led by the Oregon Department of Education and Department of Early Learning and Care.

Department of Early Learning and Care

Oregon Department of Education

Community Engagement

To inform the Birth Through Five Literacy Plan and develop the Birth Through Five Literacy Program DELC will be reviewing and analyzing current data regarding current literacy programs and practices already in place as well as hosting community engagement sessions to hear from families, providers, and community partners what is working well in supporting literacy and where there are needs for additional supports to meet the goals of the Early Literacy Initiative.

Birth Through Five Literacy Plan - Under Development

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DELC's Progress to Date

The initial $9.4 million allocated for the Birth Through Five Literacy plan to leverage early literacy activities in two existing program structures that support Early Learning Hubs and community organizations to serve children and families. This funding is available for the 24/25 program year which ends 6/30/25. DELC has also initiated Tribal Consultation with the nine federally recognized tribes within Oregon’s borders, regarding non-competitive funding allocated directly to Tribal Nations to support the literacy initiative.

More information about the early learning hubs and Early Childhood Equity Funds Can be found at the links below:


Timeline

Resources

Reports and links to the legislative text are below.


HB 3198 Legislation
ODE Literacy Success Initiative
HB 3198 Legislative Report
HB 3198 Report Executive Summary

Contact

If you have any questions or would like to participate in providing feedback please share your contact information and/or send questions to BT5literacy.delc@delc.oregon.gov