The Progress Report
Español | Tiếng Việt | 中文 | Русский | Soomaali
This month’s report focus: Lifting Literacy
Dear PPS Families and Community,
As I approach my first full year as Superintendent of Portland Public Schools, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on what I’ve learned, where we’ve made meaningful gains, and where we still have work to do.
Over the past twelve months, I’ve spent time in classrooms and community spaces across our city, listening closely and learning deeply. I’ve seen incredible examples of what’s possible when our educators, families, and community partners come together in support of our students. I’ve also heard the concerns, the calls for greater clarity, consistency, and urgency, and I take those to heart.
We’ve made progress in key areas, but I won’t sugarcoat it: We’re not where we need to be, not yet. The work we’re aiming to do will require honesty, transparency, and trust. That’s why I’m launching a Monthly Progress Report, a brief but regular update that tells our community where we stand, what we’re working on, and what comes next. Whether the news is good, hard, or somewhere in between, I believe you deserve to hear it directly.
Literacy First
Let’s talk about reading. Because when students can read confidently and critically, doors open. That’s why literacy is one of my top three focus areas, along with building trust and ensuring safe, welcoming schools.
The truth is, we have work to do. Recent data shows that reading proficiency has remained flat across most grade levels. Some student groups have even seen declines. We can’t ignore that and we won’t.
So what are we doing about it?
High Impact Tutoring Is Already Showing Results. This school year, we launched a districtwide High Impact Tutoring program, focused on reaching the students who need reading support the most. Here's how it works:
Over 1,500 students are getting small group tutoring (3x a week for 10 weeks)
Tutoring is happening in 50 schools
The program is built around foundational reading skills and relationships
And it’s working. As of March, some students are showing up to 29% average growth in core reading skills. These are real gains, happening in real classrooms, right now.
Making Reading Fun Again
We’re also focused on the joy of reading and not just the mechanics. That’s why we launched our Lifting Literacy campaign, with initiatives that bring books and imagination directly to our students:
A city-wide scavenger hunt that brought families together in celebration of books
The return of the PPS Bookmobile, where we gave away nearly 3,000 books
A new video series spotlighting literacy wins at our schools, starting with Sitton Elementary’s incredible WIN program (watch it here).
These efforts aren’t just about raising test scores, they’re about nurturing lifelong readers who feel seen, supported, and inspired.
What’s Next
We’re just getting started. In the months ahead, you’ll hear more from me about how we’re:
Strengthening attendance across all schools
Supporting high school success pathways
Reimagining how our school buildings and programs align with the needs of our students and neighborhoods
All of this is connected, because a district that reads together, grows together.
Thank You!
Finally, thank you. Your trust, partnership, and honest feedback matter. They fuel our progress and help us keep improving. If you ever have questions or ideas, my door is open. You can always reach out to my office or your school’s principal. We’re here to listen.
