Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Director Stephen D. Dackin today announced the first group of Ohio schools to be honored through the new Governor’s Science of Reading Recognition Program.

A total of 47 schools across the state were recognized for their exemplary work aligning their curriculum with the Science of Reading, embracing professional development for teachers, and raising literacy achievement among their students.

“Reading is the key to learning. Reading is the key to life. With this new recognition, we celebrate the schools throughout Ohio that are going above and beyond to bring the Science of Reading into their classrooms,” said Governor DeWine. “We know that the Science of Reading is the best way kids learn how to read. As more of our children become proficient readers, they will be more prepared to thrive in the classroom, in the workforce, and in life.”

“In many of our schools that were early adopters of the Science of Reading, we’re already seeing tremendous results. More students are reading at grade level and literacy achievement is improving,” said Director Dackin. “Every day, more schools are becoming fully aligned with the Science of Reading. While this kind of change takes time, the reward for our students will be well worth it. We are excited to be able to recognize Ohio schools that are leading the way in this effort.”

Governor DeWine announced the Science of Reading Recognition Program as part of his 2025 State of the State Address on March 12.

During his remarks, the Governor highlighted one of the first schools receiving the recognition – Austintown Elementary School in Mahoning County. In addition to being fully aligned with the Science of Reading, Austintown Elementary was one of just 13 schools in Ohio awarded the Each Child Reads grant to support the early identification of and intervention for young students with dyslexia. Teachers there have worked to refine their methods to identify where and when students need help with reading and provide targeted support when necessary.

“Their focus on literacy achievement is making a real difference for their students. In two years, they more than doubled the number of kindergarten students who are on-track with reading. And the district’s third grade reading proficiency rate is now at nearly 84%, which is 12 percentage points higher than their pre-pandemic levels,” Governor DeWine said during his remarks. He also took time in his address to recognize and congratulate Austintown Local School District Superintendent Timothy Kelty and Austintown Elementary School Principal Catherine Dorbish.

The inaugural Science of Reading Recognition Program honorees include:

– Willowville Elementary School, West Clermont Local School District (Batavia, Ohio)

For a full list of the inaugural Science of Reading Recognition Program honorees, visit https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Literacy/Read-Ohio/Governor-Science-of-Reading-Recognition-Program.

The Governor’s Science of Reading Recognition Program will honor a new group of schools each year.

About the Science of Reading

Based on decades of brain research and literacy development, the Science of Reading informs the most effective strategies for teaching students how to read. Governor DeWine has long supported the implementation of Science of Reading practices in all Ohio educational settings, including early childhood education, K-12 education, and higher education.

Editor’s note: This press release has been edited for space.

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