Today, in a significant move to bolster reading education across Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Mike Duffey announced key findings from a sweeping audit that evaluated educator preparation programs (EPPs). Schools across the state were put under the microscope to ensure their adherence to the Science of Reading, a method backed by extensive research and mandated by state law.
It appears that the journey to compliance was expected to naturally contend with bumps and curves—the majority of the institutions audited were found to be on track with the state's requirements, with 33 out of the 48 programs being declared "In Alignment." According to the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's official release, “Decades of research tells us the Science of Reading gives students of all ability levels the best chance to become strong, independent readers,” Governor DeWine stated. “We have an obligation to act with great urgency to make sure every future teacher going through our college programs is learning the best way to teach reading.”
Five EPPs were deemed to be in "Partial Alignment", signaling a need to bolster their programs to fully comply with the law. Ten institutions, however, received a rating of "Not in Alignment", underscoring a pressing need to fundamentally revamp their approach to reading instruction within the one-year grace period granted by the state before facing possible revocation of their reading or literacy educator preparation programs.
Confronting the findings, Chancellor Duffey remarked, “The good news is that we are seeing tremendous progress. Just as a teacher does not expect every student to ace the test, we did not expect our colleges to be practically perfect in every way." He remained optimistic, as reported by the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's official release, about the “ability of every institution to meet the standard within the time provided by the General Assembly – one year from today.” Each of the 10 institutions falling short have pledged, through formal attestation, to actively rectify their status to achieve full compliance.
In steadfast pursuit of educational excellence, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine affirmed the state's commitment to re-audit the programs in 2026, to "verify that they have come into full alignment with the Science of Reading." This promising shift in the Ohio education system aims to ensure that future educators are equipped with the most effective techniques and strategies to teach reading, thereby empowering generations of students to achieve literacy success.
