Ohio's Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine are on a mission to showcase and praise schools for their innovative work in improving literacy. Their Literacy Leaders Tour recently took them to Cherry Hill Primary School and Willowville Elementary School, both exemplars of using the Science of Reading to boost student literacy outcomes. At Cherry Hill Primary, they observed how early science-based reading instruction is preparing kids for academic triumph. "We see time and again that as teachers and students become more comfortable using the Science of Reading in the classroom, it results in a very positive learning experience," Governor DeWine told The Office of the Governor of Ohio.
During their visit to Cherry Hill Primary, they joined a roundtable to deliberate on educational strategies for literacy with key figures such as the DCY Director and local legislators. Cherry Hill has proven its commitment to literacy, earning the inaugural Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award earlier this year and boasting top-tier reading skill metrics with 90.8% of kindergarteners rated 'on track'.
Willowville Elementary has seen significant improvement in English Language Arts proficiency among its upper elementary students since adopting the Science of Reading. According to a statement released, since 2023, the fourth grade's proficiency has climbed subtly to 69.3%, and an even more impressive spike in the fifth grade, skyrocketing to 80.5%. These leaps in progress underscore the effectiveness of literacy strategies grounded in science.
The pair were also in attendance at Willowville for engaging conversations with school administrators and educators. They were looking closely to get a firsthand understanding of how literacy instruction can deeply impact a student’s education path. Following the discussion, classroom visits provided the Governor and First Lady with yet another glimpse into the power of this approach.
The Literacy Leaders Tour isn't just stopping at these schools; it includes a series of visits to highlight schools and early childhood education sites that excel in teaching literacy.
