George Fox University Awarded $150,000 Austin Family Foundation Grant to Launch Literacy Initiative to Help Newberg School Children

New funding expands high-dosage tutoring, launches summer learning, and strengthens educator training across six Newberg elementary schools

NEWBERG, Ore. - George Fox University's College of Education has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Newberg-based Austin Family Foundation to launch a comprehensive literacy initiative designed to transform reading outcomes in local elementary classrooms.

Children's brains develop faster in their first eight years than at any other point in their lives, so the early years are critical for setting kids on a path to a life of curiosity, continued learning, and success. However, system roadblocks still prevent many children from reaching key milestones, and kids who don't learn to read by third grade face a fourfold increase in their chances of dropping out of high school. Pre-pandemic data showed only 46% of Oregon students reading proficiently by the end of third grade. Today, that has dropped to just over 40%. To address a crucial statewide need, this new funding directly supports local young readers while enhancing preparation and professional development for area educators.

Through strategic partnerships with the Newberg School District and Stand for Children Oregon, the initiative aligns with research-backed strategies proven to help children learn to read. First, George Fox will expand its high-dosage tutoring program to support up to 180 students across all six Newberg elementary schools. To prevent seasonal reading loss, the grant also funds a new summer literacy program designed to keep up to 45 students actively engaged in learning between academic years. Finally, the university is collaborating directly with the Newberg School District to strengthen overall literacy instruction through enhanced educator preparation, specialized professional development, and innovative teaching strategies aligned with the science of reading.

"We are honored to partner with Newberg School District on this initiative," said project lead Dr. Sarri Gibson of George Fox. "This grant allows us to invest in what matters most - our students! By bringing together teacher candidates, classroom educators, literacy experts, and community partners, we're creating meaningful learning opportunities for children today while preparing outstanding teachers for tomorrow."

This community-wide effort reinforces state-level momentum surrounding the Early Literacy Success Initiative passed by Oregon lawmakers, which funds high-dosage tutoring, summer learning, teacher coaching on proven teaching methods, and science-of-reading curricula to ensure every student can read proficiently by third grade. By partnering with organizations like Stand for Children Oregon, George Fox University is taking active steps to support classroom educators, close the literacy opportunity gap, and maximize state policy to improve local learning outcomes.

George Fox University, Oregon's largest private university, is aU.S. News & World Report "Best National University," enrolling more than 4,000 students across its Newberg campus, regional centers in Portland and Redmond, and online. The institution offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and 21 graduate degrees. George Fox is a leader in flexible education, featuring accelerated online bachelor's degrees tailored for working adults.

Contact:

Carly Reumann

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