Professional Development in the Science of Reading

Science of Reading Professional Development Requirements under ORC 3319.2310 (Updated 10/14/25)

Effective September 30, 2025, teachers, administrators, speech-language pathologists, and school psychologists employed by the following entities are required to meet the Science of Reading professional development requirements:

• City, local, and exempted village school districts,
• Joint vocational school districts,
• Community schools,
• STEM schools, and
• Educational service centers.

Science of Reading Professional Development Guidance ORC 3319.2310 (updated 10.27.2025)

Below are the requirements and timelines for specific categories of teachers, administrators, speech-language pathologists, and school psychologists:

Teachers Hired Before July 1, 2025: Teachers hired by a district or school prior to July 1, 2025, must complete the Department’s refresher course in the Science of Reading by June 30, 2030, and every five years thereafter.
Teachers Hired After July 1, 2025: Teachers hired by a district or school on or after July 1, 2025 must complete the Department’s Introduction to the Science of Reading professional development course within one year after their hire date and the Department’s refresher course in the Science of Reading every five years thereafter.
Administrators Hired Before July 1, 2025: Administrators hired by a district or school prior to July 1, 2025 must complete the Department’s refresher course in the Science of Reading by June 30, 2030 and every five years thereafter.
Administrators Hired After July 1, 2025: Administrators hired by a district or school after July 1, 2025, must complete the Department’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Professional Development Course within one year after their hire date, and the Department’s refresher course in the Science of Reading  every five years year thereafter.
Speech-Language Pathologists and School Psychologists: An individual employed by a district or school as a speech-language pathologist or school psychologist must complete the Department’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Professional Development Course by June 30, 2027, and the Department’s refresher course in the Science of Reading every five years thereafter.

Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Professional Development Course

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has made available multiple professional development courses to meet the requirements in state law. Multiple course pathways, based on educators’ primary role and grade band served, have been designed to fit individual educator needs. Districts and community schools should work with educators and administrators to identify the course pathway that is the best fit for their role.  

The following pathways are available on the Department’s Learning Management System:  

• Pathway A: Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading, Kindergarten-Grade 5 Course
• Pathway C: Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading, Grades 6-12 Course 
• Pathway E: Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Course, Grades 6-12 Content Areas 
• Pathway F: Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Course, Administrators K-12 

Note: Pathways B and D have been discontinued. Teachers and Administrators who complete the Department’s Introduction to Dyslexia Course have fulfilled the requirement to complete the Department’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Professional Development Course. 

How to Access the Department's Introduction to the Science of Reading Professional Development Course

 The following document contains instructions for accessing the Department's Science of Reading professional development course (Pathways A-F):

• Instructions for Accessing Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading K-12 Courses on the Learning Management System

If you need additional account support after consulting the linked support documents above, please contact OH|ID Profile Help at Profile.Help@education.ohio.gov for OH|ID assistance. If you are in the LMS application and need additional support, please contact LMS Support at LMSSupport@education.ohio.gov.

Pathway G - Pathway G is available through Cox Campus & The Rollins Center for Language and Literacy: Pathway G: Ohio’s Language and Literacy Course Sequence for Prekindergarten 
 

SCIENCE OF READING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FACILITATORS

The Department’s K-12 Introduction to the Science of Reading courses (Pathways A-E) have been designed to include optional face-to-face facilitated meetings with a trained facilitator, in addition to the online course content. These optional facilitated meetings are recommended to support implementation of instructional practices and enhance educator learning. To access a trained facilitator of the Department’s K-12 Introduction to the Science of Reading courses, contact your local State Support Team or Educational Service Center.
 

Similar Trainings to Meet the Requirement to Complete the Department's Introduction to Science of Reading Professional Development Course

Teachers and administrators will be exempt from the requirement to complete the Department's Introduction to Science of Reading professional development course if the superintendent or head administrator has verified that the individual has completed a similar training, as determined by the department, within five years of their date of hire. This exemption does not apply to speech-language pathologists and school psychologists.

The Department has determined the following professional development and/or training courses are similar trainings to the Department's Introduction to the Science of Reading professional development course. Please note that certain courses or trainings have been determined to be similar training only for certain roles, content areas, or grade levels. 

PreK-Grade 12 teachers and administrators

• International Dyslexia Association (IDA) accredited Independent Teacher Training Programs
• The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Introduction to Dyslexia, Grades K-3 course  
• The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Introduction to Dyslexia for Grades 4-12 course 
• Training approved by the Ohio Dyslexia Committee for Structured Literacy Certification

Pre-Kindergarten only

The following trainings represent comprehensive trainings that include all components of emergent literacy and are similar trainings for the purpose of meeting the requirement to complete the Department's Introduction to the Science of Reading professional development course for prekindergarten teachers only.

• Keys to Emergent Literacy (Keys to Literacy)
• LETRS Early Childhood (Lexia Learning)

Grades 6-12 Content Area Teachers only

The following trainings are similar trainings for the purpose of meeting the requirement to complete the Department's Introduction to the Science of Reading professional development course for teachers of subject areas other than English language arts in grades 6-12 only.

• Keys to Adolescent Literacy (Keys to Literacy)
• Key Comprehension Routine (Keys to Literacy)
• Key Vocabulary Routine (Keys to Literacy)
• Keys to Content Writing (Keys to Literacy)

Administrators only

The following trainings are similar trainings for the purpose of meeting the requirement to complete the Department's Introduction to the Science of Reading professional development course for administrators only.

• LETRS for Administrators (Lexia Learning)
• Pathways to Literacy Leadership (AIM Institute for Learning and Research)

Appropriate Coursework to Meet the Introduction to Science of Reading Professional Development Requirements

Under Ohio law, teachers and administrators hired after July 1, 2025, are not required to complete the Department’s Introduction to the Science of Reading Professional Development Course if the superintendent or head administrator has verified that the individual has completed appropriate coursework in the science of reading as part of an educator or licensure preparation program.  This would include coursework completed from a university program accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.
 

Ohio's Refresher Course in the Science of Reading

The Department’s refresher course in the science of reading is still under development. This webpage will be updated to include more information about the course when it is available.

License Renewal Credit

Satisfactory completion of a professional development course in the Learning Management System will result in a certificate being provided to the teacher or administrator.

Under Ohio law, LPDCs are required to count completion of the Department's Introduction to the Science of Reading professional development course and the Department's refresher course in the science of reading toward professional development coursework requirements for teacher licensure renewal.

Additionally, LPDCs must permit teachers to apply any hours earned while completing Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading professional development course and Ohio’s Science of Reading refresher course that exceed the minimum number of hours required for professional development coursework for teacher licensure renewal to the next renewal period for the license. 

No Stipend Reimbursement for Districts and Schools

The Department will not reimburse stipends paid to individuals who complete the Department’s Science of Reading professional development courses. Districts and schools may use local funds or allowable state and federal funds to compensate individuals for completing the Department’s Science of Reading professional development courses. However, the Department will not reimburse districts and schools for paying such compensation.

Additional Resources

Ohio’s Introduction to the Science of Reading K-12 Courses: Overview of Content  
 

Last Modified: 10/27/2025 11:11:34 AM

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