OHIO — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced today that the state has received a $60 million Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The funding aims to support Ohio teachers in delivering effective literacy instruction, helping students improve their reading and writing skills.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) is driving statewide efforts to raise literacy achievement. Schools will align their instruction with the Science of Reading, an approach substantiated by research.
The program grants competitive funds to states to enhance literacy skills for children from birth through grade 12, particularly those in poverty, English language learners and children with disabilities.
“As all of our schools in Ohio become fully aligned with the Science of Reading, it is critical that our teachers have the right training and resources to properly teach their students how to read using this groundbreaking method,” said DeWine. “This funding will further advance our efforts to make Ohio a model state, both in terms of how we support teachers with the training and tools they need to raise literacy achievement, and how we provide our students with the skills they need to be successful throughout life.”
Ohio schools and preschools programs will have the opportunity to apply and become comprehensive literacy implementation sites. Selected sites will use the grant funds to enhance the ways teachers and administrators implement literacy practices, with a focus on improving student outcomes.
Initiatives include coaching teachers and principals on integrating the Science of Reading, additional training for instructional materials and partnerships with libraries or higher education institutions to emphasize literacy’s importance to families.
“By establishing more of our schools as comprehensive literacy implementation sites and providing another layer of support directly to our teachers, the better positioned educators and staff will be to successfully guide students in developing crucial literacy skills,” said Dackin. “This program will also help us understand where additional supports are needed and how to make those critical learning connections.”
According to DEW, applications for site selection will open in early 2025 and awards for sub-grantees will be announced in late spring that year. The sub-grants are divided into four age groups: birth to kindergarten, kindergarten to grade 5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. A portion of the funding will also support technical help and implementation efforts.
Applicants have the option to collaborate and share resources by forming partnerships with others in the same region.
Ohio was one of 23 recipients of grants in this cycle and received the second-largest funding amount nationwide.