What is the Science of Reading?

The science of reading is an interdisciplinary body of scientific evidence that:   

  1. Informs how students learn to read and write proficiently;

  1. Explains why some students have difficulty with reading and writing;

  1. Indicates that all students benefit from explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and writing to become effective readers;  

  1. Does not rely on any model of teaching students to read based on meaning, structure and syntax, and visual cues, including a three-cueing approach.  

Why the Science of Reading is Important

Reading unlocks the door for all future learning and provides a lifetime of opportunities. Strong literacy skills are necessary for all Ohioans, starting with the very youngest of learners and continuing into the lives of students after high school, including postsecondary education, immediate entry into the workforce, military service or other types of career development.

As described in the Kindergarten through Grade 4 Literacy Report for 2021-2022, 40% of Ohio's third graders are not reading proficiently. Governor DeWine has called for a renewed state of how we teach reading in Ohio. It is time to critically examine what is working and what is not working and shift to literacy teaching practices that meet the needs of all learners.

In addition, Governor DeWine signed an Executive Order that directs the Governor’s Children’s Initiative to coordinate with interested parties to develop a program that will recognize schools that are demonstrating strong implementation of best instructional practices aligned to the science of reading and where students are making significant progress in reading. This recognition process will begin this fall. 

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Whether just getting started or already implementing the science of reading, this toolkit provides resources school leaders, teachers and families can use throughout the year.

Tips for Superintendents

  • Host a district discussion: What is the science of reading?
  • Host a district discussion: Why the shift?
  • Complete the literacy instructional material and professional development survey
    • The district's literacy lead must complete the Department's literacy instructional material and professional development survey, which will open in late August.
  • District leaders: Identify science of reading professional development
    • Have all teachers of grades K-1 completed the dyslexia professional development?
    • The dyslexia professional development requirements for teachers of grades 2-3 begin in the 2024-2025 school year. Have you planned for teacher participation in professional development?
  • District curriculum director: Perform a curriculum audit
    • Take stock of reading materials for core instruction and intervention.
    • Do the materials address the components of reading in an explicit, systematic way?
    • Where are the gaps?
  • Complete the literacy instructional material and professional development survey
    • The district's literacy lead must complete the Department's literacy instructional material and professional development survey, which opened in late August and will close on October 6th.
    • The Science of Reading Curriculum and Professional Development Survey (PDF document)
    • Special Note: The curriculum materials drop down list for the questions DOES NOT represent the approve instructional materials list. That list is still under development and will be posted January/ February.
    • If you have not received a link to the survey, please email ReadOhio@education.ohio.gov.

Tips for PrincipalS

  • Host a building discussion: What is the science of reading?
  • Host a building discussion: Why the shift?
    • Examine the building's literacy data. Rei.
    • Review the building's literacy plan.
    • Review the master schedule and literacy block.
  • Identify science of reading professional development
    • Have all teachers of grades K-1 completed the dyslexia professional development?
    • The dyslexia professional development requirements for teachers of grades 2-3 begin in the 2024-2025 school year. Have you planned for teacher participation in professional development?
  • Perform a building literacy curriculum audit
    • Take stock of reading materials for core instruction and intervention.
    • Do the materials address the components of reading in an explicit, systematic way?
    • Where are the gaps?
  • Prepare for principal walk-throughs to observe instruction
    • Develop a principal walk-through tool for observing explicit, systematic instruction of the components of reading.

Tips for Educators

Tips for Families

Read Ohio Implementation Timeline

Fall/Winter 2023

August/September

October/November

  • Begin or continue planning for implementation of the science of reading. Use the following resources:
  • Fall administration of Ohio’s State Test for grade 3 English language arts (Oct. 16–Nov. 3).
  • Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plan (RIMP) development.
    • Complete no later than 60 days after receiving the reading diagnostic results. 

December

  • Develop a plan to implement high-quality instructional materials and register for the 2024 Literacy Academy. 
    • Districts and schools are required to adopt high-quality instructional materials for the 2024-2025 school year. Review the following to prepare:

Winter/Spring 2024

January/February

  • Continue professional development to support students across all content areas. 
    • Take the Science of Reading course (projected release)
    • Review and select materials from the list of high-quality instructional materials for core instructions (projected release)
  • Register for the next Literacy Academy (Date TBD). 

March/April

  • Participate in the 2024 Literacy Academy on Demand.
  • Spring administration of  Ohio's State Test for grade 3 English language arts (March 25–April 26).

May/June

  • Attend the 2024 Literacy Academy.
Additional supports and implementation strategies will be posted as they are made available.

Contact

Send questions to LiteracyOhio@education.ohio.gov.

Last Modified: 9/19/2023 12:52:46 PM