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NEWS RELEASE
February 4, 2026
Media Contact: Liz Merah
ODE Announces Recipients of 2025-27 High-Dosage Tutoring Supplement Funds
(Salem, OR) – With additional funding from the legislature to support statewide early literacy efforts, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has awarded 48 school districts a total of $12 million in high-dosage tutoring (HDT) supplement funds. ODE allocated funds based on districts’ English language arts (ELA) proficiency, as well as their number of English language learners, students experiencing disabilities, and students experiencing poverty.
“This investment is about meeting students where they are and giving them the support they need to thrive,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “High-dosage tutoring allows us to focus resources on the learners who need it most, accelerate progress, and make sure every dollar is driving better outcomes for students.”
High-dosage tutoring is an evidence-based support, provided in addition to core literacy instruction, that allows students extra time and assistance to practice foundational literacy skills in small groups or one-on-one with a highly-trained tutor.
“This investment is about ensuring students who need additional literacy support receive it early and consistently,” said Dr. Candice Castillo, Deputy Director of Academics. “By prioritizing districts with higher concentrations of need, ODE is helping schools deliver high-dosage tutoring that can make a meaningful difference in students’ reading outcomes.”
All districts receiving HDT supplement funds are required to:
- Supplement, not supplant funds already allocated to HDT. Funds must be used to expand or establish new tutoring activities.
- Participate in ODE’s HDT Community of Practice taking place through March 2026. Participants will learn about current research on effective HDT, identify key actions for high-quality implementation, and share resources and best practices.
Many districts are using HDT Supplement funds to strengthen tutor training and ensure high-quality implementation aligned with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) frameworks.
“By providing tutors with strong training, ongoing support, and opportunities to observe other high‑dosage tutors, we help them see effective strategies in action,” said Christine Bech, Central Point School District Director of Education. “These experiences build their capacity to better serve students who benefit from additional MTSS support.”
Background
In the 2025 legislative session, ODE received additional funds to support statewide early literacy efforts. The HDT Supplement distributes $12 million directly to prioritized school districts to expand tutoring programs focused on improving early literacy outcomes for grades PreK-5.
ODE is allocating approximately $3,000 per student for 15% of 3rd-5th graders in each eligible district who are not yet proficient on state standardized tests. Additionally, approximately $1.5 million (12%) of all funding is being set aside to support small districts (<1650 ADMr), which is commensurate to the percent of students served in small districts across the state.
More information about the HDT Supplement is available in this flyer.
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