Editorials

Don’t let up on literacy push in Ohio

Education officials in Ohio have done an excellent job focusing on improving literacy for younger students, with the implementation of the 3rd grade reading guarantee and the science of reading. Now a report by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute urges them to keep pushing.

Combining intervention and support for younger students with reading deficiencies with the science of reading has produced impressive results. Among the improvements highlighted in the report are elementary schools transitioning to higher quality literacy programs, educators receiving support in implementing the science of reading, and teacher prep programs that are more accountable for “effectively training candidates.”

The report does note, however, that “social promotion” appears to have re-emerged, with 98% of third graders statewide advanced to fourth grade despite a 61% third grade reading proficiency rate.

"Understanding the moral imperative of helping all children read, Ohio policymakers have made literacy the state's top priority in K-12 education," said Aaron Churchill, Ohio research director for the institute. "Yet policies and priorities on paper do not automatically yield intended results --

rigorous implementation is also critical for long-term success. Ohio has already taken significant steps to implement the science of reading, yet more work remains to ensure these practices take hold in Ohio classrooms.”

Recommendations in the report include strengthening the state’s audit framework for teacher preparation, focusing on putting reading coaches in schools with the largest achievement gaps and restoring a strict third grade retention requirement.

And, “The next governor, whether Amy Acton or Vivek Ramaswamy, must take the baton and keep Ohio squarely focused on higher reading achievement,” Churchill said.

Now is no time to let off the gas; and political distractions must not halt the momentum of the last couple of years. Education officials, administrators and teachers should take to heart the institute’s hope that they will keep up the push.