COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine announced a new literacy initiative on Thursday ahead of the school year to encourage improved literacy skills at all levels in Ohio.
ReadOhio will work to improve the literacy skills of people of all ages — from early childhood through adulthood, according to DeWine. He nodded to the science of reading and structure as one of the ways the state is helping improve literacy rates.
DeWine announced that any Ohio school not using a curriculum aligned with the science of reading method will begin using it this fall.
"This change is a result of legislation that I asked the legislature to pass and I also asked the legislature to provide money to make sure that this could in fact happen in every school in the state of Ohio," DeWine said.
Funding through the initiative will help provide the following to schools:
- Pay for the cost of high-quality instructional materials that are in line with the science of reading for public schools that do not have them
- Support teachers by funding professional development in the science of reading and covering the cost of stipends for teachers to participate in that instruction
- Fund additional literacy coaches to go into schools and districts so they can implement best practices
For those in Ohio who attend nonpublic schools, DeWine said they have committed $26 million in federal COVID relief funds to pay for a range of education and support services, materials, training and literacy coaches.
“With 40% of Ohio third graders not proficient in reading, we need to seriously look at how we are teaching reading in the state because reading is fundamental to future success,” said Governor DeWine. “Our ReadOhio initiative will encompass all of our efforts to improve literacy skills of Ohioans of every age, from early childhood throughout adulthood because it’s never too early or too late to learn to read or enhance your skills.”
ReadOhio will offer:
- A free online tool kit for school leaders to use to start or continue the conversation on the science of reading with staff and parents
- Promotion of "Read It Again," a free curriculum supplement through The Ohio State University, to serve as a digital resource for educators
- Tips online for parents and caregivers
More information on the science of reading can be found here.