Eastern Oregon University Reading Clinic Offers Affordable and Accessible Online Teacher Training Program to Improve Early Literacy Success in Oregon Schools

Oct. 11, 2023

Eastern Oregon University Reading Clinic Offers Affordable and Accessible Online Teacher Training Program to Improve Early Literacy Success in Oregon Schools

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is excited to announce the launch of “Building a Strong Foundation in Literacy,” a new online training program for inservice teachers. This program is made possible through a partnership with the Schuberth/Urang Family and will be available in January 2024.

This training program will be an option for districts and schools who are seeking professional development for their teachers through funds offered by the Early Literacy Success Initiative created by House Bill 3198. This initiative will provide grants to schools, enabling them to access professional development and coaching in evidence-aligned literacy strategies. 

With a focus on reading science, Building a Strong Foundation in Literacy, equips educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to foster proficient readers in their classrooms and schools. This comprehensive program consists of six learning modules, including “Intro to the Science of Reading,” “Oral Language & Phonology,” “Phonics & Word Study,” “Creating Fluent Readers,” “Developing Vocabulary,” and “Increasing Reading Comprehension.”

One of the key advantages of the new program is its affordability and accessibility. Regardless of their location, any teacher, school, or district in Oregon can participate in this training. By offering online training, EOU ensures that educators can access the program at their convenience, eliminating geographical barriers and scheduling conflicts.

Furthermore, the new fully online teacher training program provides schools with the flexibility to determine the pace of training that best suits their teachers and schools. This customizable approach allows educators to absorb the content effectively and implement the strategies in their classrooms.

To support districts in building capacity within their own schools, the program includes a facilitator guide. This guide empowers districts to provide ongoing support to teachers as they apply reading science principles in their classrooms. By fostering a collaborative learning environment, the EOU Reading Clinic Online Teacher Training program promotes sustainable growth and continuous improvement.

Teachers who complete the EOU Reading Clinic Online Teacher Training program, “Building a Strong Foundation in Literacy,” will have the opportunity to earn three graduate credits. These credits can be applied towards EOU’s fully online asynchronous Graduate Reading Intervention Endorsement program, allowing educators to extend their learning beyond the online training.

For more information about this incredible opportunity, please email reading-clinic@eou.edu or contact Dr. Ronda Fritz, the Director of EOU Reading Clinic, at rfritz@eou.edu.

Eastern Oregon University Reading Clinic is committed to empowering educators and improving early literacy success in Oregon schools. Join us in this transformative journey and equip your teachers with the tools they need to create proficient readers. Together, we can build a strong foundation in literacy and unlock the potential of every student.