1. (1) Establishment of Early Literacy Tribal Grants:

   1. (a) The Early Literacy Tribal Grants program is established in ORS 327.827 to support the federally recognized Tribes of this state in developing and implementing early literacy and language programs that reflect their unique cultural, linguistic, and educational needs, including family-engaged literacy, extended learning, and Tribal language revitalization efforts that support early literacy development for children in early elementary grades, as authorized under ORS 327.843.
   2. (b) The Oregon Department of Education (“ODE”), Office of Indian Education, shall collaborate with each Tribe to ensure that the development and implementation of the Early Literacy Tribal Grants program reflect tribal sovereignty and the unique cultural, linguistic, and educational needs of each nation, consistent with ORS 327.843(3)(c) and ORS 182.162 to 182.168.

2. (2)

   1. (a) Eligibility for Early Literacy Tribal Grants:
   2. (b) Eligibility for Early Literacy Tribal Grants is limited to the federally recognized Tribes in Oregon.

3. (3) Criteria for Early Literacy Tribal Grants:

   1. (a) Tribes must submit Early Literacy Plan that includes the preservation and revitalization of tribal languages, the integration of culturally responsive practices, and the support of family and community engagement in early literacy development. Plans must include data related to participation and a description of how funded activities support early literacy development for children in early elementary grades or Tribal language revitalization, or both.
   2. (b) Tribal Early Literacy Grant funds may support programming that serves students beyond early elementary grades, including vertically aligned, intergenerational, or community-based models, provided funded activities support early literacy development for children in early elementary grades or Tribal language revitalization efforts authorized under ORS 327.843(1)(d), or both.

4. (4) Funding for Early Literacy Tribal Grants:

   1. (a) Tribes can access funds based on their proposed project plan, which shall outline the intended use of the funds and the specific early literacy and language initiatives to be implemented, and which must be aligned with the purposes of ORS 327.843.
   2. (b) Tribes are eligible to apply up to fifteen percent (15%) or the Tribe’s federally recognized indirect rate, as provided in the grant agreement. This rate reflects the unique internal governance structures and needs of tribes, ensuring alignment with their sovereign status and operational requirements as provided in the grant agreement, consistent with OAR 581-017-0805.

5. (5) Reporting and accountability:

   1. (a) Reporting requirements will be flexible, culturally responsive, with minimal administrative burden to the Tribe;
   2. (b) Metrics of success for Early Literacy Tribal Grants will be co-developed with each Tribe to reflect each Tribe’s unique needs and priorities;
   3. (c) Reports shall align with Early Literacy and language priorities identified in the Tribe’s approved Early Literacy Plan;
   4. (d) ODE will customize reports in collaboration with each Tribe’s Early Literacy Plan; and
   5. (e) Each Tribe will provide a minimum of two reports per biennium.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 327.829, ORS 327.843 & ORS 328.827

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 327.825 - 327.845 & ORS 327.843

History

ODE 36-2026, amend filed 06/22/2026, effective 06/22/2026
ODE 9-2026, temporary amend filed 03/23/2026, effective 03/23/2026 through 09/18/2026
ODE 5-2025, amend filed 02/14/2025, effective 02/14/2025
ODE 13-2024, adopt filed 03/22/2024, effective 03/22/2024