Partners

In 2010-11, the Portland Reading Foundation partnered with thirteen elementary schools in the Portland Public and Reynolds School Districts, including Alder, Capitol Hill, Chief Joseph, Cesar Chavez, Harrison Park, Humboldt, Irvington, Kelly, Lent, Peninsula, Rigler, Sitton, and Whitman.

In 2010, the Portland Reading Foundation expanded its operations to include Alder Elementary in the Reynolds School District. Alder has one of Oregon’s highest poverty levels; 93% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Alder is also one of the I Have a Dream Foundation’s “Dreamer Schools,” and the Portland Reading Foundation is a key partner in that organization’s vision for Alder’s transformation.

In 2009, through a competitive process, Social Venture Partners Portland selected the Portland Reading Foundation as an investee, dedicating its members’ resources and expertise to high-level business and strategic planning in cooperation with the PRF staff and board of directors.

The SMART Program (Start Making a Reader Today), also in Title 1 schools, brings hundreds of dedicated volunteers from the community into schools to read with children. SMART also provides books for children to take home and enjoy. SMART volunteers get children interested in books, and provide enrichment to children, who may not have books in the home.

Since inception, Portland Reading Foundation, SMART, and school administrators frequently collaborate in determining which children are at risk for failing to learn to read and which need only a reading enrichment approach. Our school partners recognize that children who are at risk for failing to learn to read need more than a volunteer can provide. Children referred to Portland Reading Foundation receive a structured, individualized, evidence based reading intervention three times per week that supplements and builds on what is going on in the classroom. Portland Reading Foundation tutors are trained in a variety of multi-sensory interventions that target a child's individual needs. Testing of students, to track progress and adjust instruction is a key component of the PRF intervention. Our tutors work closely with classroom teachers and the school reading specialist to monitor student progress.