New and Noteworthy
Research and Resources for Your Classroom
Free Teaching Resource from The News Literacy Project
Support students’ mental health and wellbeing in the age of AI by empowering them with the skills to vet sources, examine data, and weigh evidence. The News Literacy Project has developed the Brain Gains planner, a free, downloadable resource that includes a unit plan with interactive lessons and posters. Explore the Brain Gains planner here.
ELA Standards Review Panel Applications Now Open
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is seeking K–12 educators, administrators, pre-service educators, and career language arts and literacy professionals to apply to join the panel to review the Oregon English Language Arts and Literacy Standards.
The English Language Arts and Literacy Standards Review Panel will meet approximately monthly beginning in December 2025, throughout the 2025–26 school year, with most work occurring after school hours and offline.
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NEW Application deadline: Monday, November 24, 8 a.m.
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Notification of selection: By December 1
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Meeting schedule and next steps will be shared with selected applicants.
Note: Classroom educators must have administrator approval to apply.
If you're unable to join the panel but would like to provide input, please complete the K–12 Oregon English Language Arts and Literacy Standards Review Form.
For additional information or questions, please contact Tina Roberts, ODE Language Arts Education Specialist at tina.roberts@ode.oregon.gov.
High-Dosage Tutoring Community of Practice - January 2026
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) will launch a new Community of Practice to support school and district leaders in strengthening high-dosage tutoring (HDT) statewide. Together, participants will explore research-based practices, plan effective programs, and collaborate with literacy leaders across Oregon. More details on specific dates and times will be available soon.
For questions, please contact k12.literacy@ode.oregon.gov
Literacy Leaders’ Network Meeting: December 4 – Save the Date!
Join us for the next Literacy Leaders’ Network (LLN) meeting, where we will discuss best practices, build a community of practitioners, and share ideas for supporting literacy instruction. We meet virtually every First Thursday on Zoom, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Learn more about the vision, mission, and purpose of the LLN, and register to join us here.
K-5 Newsletter
The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Office of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment is launching a new quarterly newsletter for K-5 educators. This newsletter provides resources, opportunities, guidance, and ODE updates tailored specifically to support the integrated and well-rounded instruction that elementary education entails. It aims to streamline information related to K-5 academic standards and instruction into one convenient communication.
To sign up for the newsletter, click here
Connie Hull Mini-Grants Now Available
Do you have a creative idea to promote literacy in your school library? Whether it is a parent-child book club, storytelling festival, visual literacy activity, or collaborative project, apply for a $1,000 Connie Hull Mini-Grant! Two will be awarded. Applications are due 12/30/25!
Application and Information Here! View full rubric here!
Forward your completed application (and any questions to): pastpresident@oasl.olaweb.org
New Learn to Research eBooks Added to OSLIS => Modern Media Literacy Series
Six ebook titles from a new series called Take a Look! Modern Media Literacy have been added to the Oregon School Library Information System (OSLIS), bringing the total to 39ebooks for elementary students and 33 for secondary students. Check out OSLIS for more information.
Oregon State Literacy Association Literacy Project Grants
Need funding for a literacy project in your classroom, school, or community? The Oregon State Literacy Association (OSLA) is offering $250 and $500 grants to support projects that promote literacy in your classroom, school, or community.
View a slideshow of previously funded projects
Apply Here!
Scoring Rubric
Application Deadline: November 15, 2025
*Winners will be notified in early December 2025.
Note: Only current OSLA members are eligible to apply. To verify your membership status, please email Membership Coordinator Stacey Dolezal BEFORE applying: membership@oregonread.org.
If you are not a member, join OSLA for just $35 and get access to a whole host of benefits (only $20 for those in their first three years of teaching or retired).
Questions? Please email OSLA Vice President Christian Geddes Christian@oregonread.org
Teaching Early Literacy from a Multilingual Perspective
Offered by Oregon State University, the Teaching Early Literacy From a Multilingual Perspective course empowers K-5 educators with the knowledge and tools to implement culturally responsive, multilingual literacy instruction. The course aligns with Oregon’s Early Literacy Framework, ensuring teaching strategies reflect current best practices for fostering literacy in diverse classrooms. Find more information and register here.
Consider This: The Stories We Tell About Our Nations
Oregon Humanities is delighted when teachers and students are able to attend our programs and engage with our work. Teachers and students are invited to attend, livestream, or watch the recording of Consider This: The Stories We Tell About Our Nations, with Column McCann, part of the Beyond250 series exploring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. If interested in tickets to bring students to this or any event, please contact Julia Martinez at j.soto@oregonhumanities.org.
Oregon State Literacy Association Members Invited to Contribute
Dr. Leslie Haas and Dr. Jill Tussey are editing a new book with IGI Global Publishing:
AI and Game-Based Literacy Learning: Innovative Pathways for Diverse Learners
This upcoming volume explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and game-based learning (GBL) can transform literacy instruction for today’s diverse, digital, and multilingual learners. The editors are seeking contributors who can share innovative classroom practices, research, and perspectives on how these emerging tools can promote equity, engagement, and success in literacy learning across PK–12, higher education, and beyond.
Important Dates
- Full Chapter Submission: January 28, 2026
Call for Chapters Overview
There is no cost to publish your chapter if accepted.
Launching the Oregon Media Literacy Coalition
Media Literacy Now, the Yarg Foundation, and 24th Century Education are partnering to establish the Oregon Media Literacy Coalition. The Coalition will bring together national and Oregon-based organizations who support or advocate for youth media literacy and digital literacy education in K-16 schools.
This will create a space where organizations can coordinate and collaborate around resource development, public engagement, and advocacy, amplifying existing efforts and creating new opportunities for shared work across the state. You can learn more about the Coalition here.
If you or your organization are interested in participating, email Brian Baker - brian@24thcenturyeducation.com
Free Access to The Atlantic for US Public High Schools
Starting Sept. 26, The Atlantic is offering free digital access to its current journalism and to its 168-year-old archive. Learn more and sign up here.
Write the World Writing Competitions for Students
Write the World helps “students develop the writing skills they need to succeed and make an impact” on their world.” There are seven writing competitions currently available.
If you have ideas for the newsletter or want to contact the ODE Language Arts and Literacy specialists, please reach out: k12.literacy@ode.oregon.gov
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