Miami University's College of Education, Health, and Society (EHS) has recently earned top marks, snagging a flawless 100% compliance score on Ohio's science of reading audit, as reported by Miami University's news site. The significant audit, conducted by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), interrogated Miami's reading and literacy instruction curricula poignantly, aligning with Ohio's latest K-12 evidence-based literacy instruction requirements, now imperative for college students embarking on a path to become educators.
In a detailed probe that spanned several months, 23 EHS courses were meticulously evaluated by ODHE. Syllabi were examined, textbooks and course reading materials were scrutinized, and even the act of faculty teaching in class was observed. The audit included student surveys and further interviews with faculty and administrative leadership. EHS dean Amity Noltemeyer shared with Miami University's news service, "They did a very comprehensive analysis," said EHS dean Amity Noltemeyer. "The state of Ohio is really committed to making sure the new requirements were put into practice, and it was not an easy process. It really required our faculty to come together, to figure out how to rethink our curriculum, how to reorganize it, and how to ensure that everything now required will be taught."
Collaboration was essential for success, as departments including the Department of Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Inquiry (TCE), the Department of Educational Psychology (EDP), and the Department of Education and Society joined forces to rise to the occasion. Ganiva Reyes, TCE chair, elaborated to Miami University's news outlet, "This audit is important because it shows EHS, and our departments, at our best in regards to teamwork, curriculum work, learning new pedagogy, and organizing ourselves for teaching excellence." Importantly, the accomplishment reflects EHS's steadfast promise to nourish impactful and innovative reading and literacy instruction programs.
Earlier this year, the EHS undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program was recognized on a national level, achieving an "A" grade in Reading Foundations from the National Council on Teacher Quality. Further bolstering its literacy efforts, EHS has launched Orton-Gillingham certification workshops, as mentioned by EDP associate professor Sarah Watt to Miami University's news service: "It’s a unique certification for undergraduate students to walk into a classroom with, and it’s highly sought out by principals and the people who are hiring them."
