The majority of Ohio’s fourth graders are failing as readers according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Even more compelling, only two out of eight children living in poverty are proficient in reading right now. This is a wakeup call that demands attention: early grade reading proficiency correlates directly with future earnings, college attendance, home ownership and retirement savings.
Equally troubling is that the past two decades NAEP scores have remained mostly flat, until recent declines, which have mirrored national trends driven largely by the pandemic. By all standards, we are failing our children.
However, there is an opportunity to address this before it is too late: Gov. Mike DeWine is now seeking $129 million from the legislature to retrain teachers, update textbooks and to support the science of reading as the exclusive approach to reading instruction. This focused investment is the kind of intervention that is needed to put kids – and our state – onto the path of economic vitality.
One of the greatest challenges that we face is the unevenness of instruction received in the classroom. This is often caused by inconsistent teaching methods and training because state law allows districts to teach reading however they want. By reshaping policy around evidence-based approaches in classrooms and educator training programs, we can ensure that children across the state receive consistent instruction based on the science of reading. Statewide implementation will help improve metrics at critical gateways and bring a consistent approach that has proven results.
The science of reading is a scientifically-based approach to reading and writing, developed over five decades of research from thousands of studies conducted in multiple languages. Most importantly, it works.
While some concerns are understandable – some want to be able to use other teaching methods such as “cueing” – the reality is that if those methods were effective, then the results would be better. However, there is limited evidence and peer-reviewed research demonstrating the effectiveness of these other approaches working at scale in any state. By requiring the best teaching method, it removes any excuse for resorting back to familiar but ineffective practices.
Ohio can do better. By using evidence-based decision making and adopting best practices, our students will have the opportunity to thrive. Why would we do anything less?
When Mississippi invested heavily into the science of reading, they demonstrated more growth in reading than any other state, and were one of the few states whose reading scores bounced back after prolonged school closures. In less than a decade, Mississippi jumped from 49th to 22nd in the nation in reading proficiency. That state made good on a promise to do better for their children. And, when this method was tested in a rural Ohio school system, double-digit improvements were made. The rest of the state needs this chance to succeed, too.
Like others in the field, StriveTogether believes that there are key inflection points that determine future opportunities, including early grade reading and middle grade math. Ohio itself is in a critical moment right now: the next generation of jobs will be arriving soon, and our children need to be prepared to meet the moment. With tech companies like Intel, Facebook and Amazon, Ohio will become a tech hub that will bring quality employment and innovation. But those jobs will only be filled by Ohioans if we can provide the needed skillsets to perform them – and all learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering and technology) requires a solid foundation in reading.
The governor’s proposal has bipartisan support and is championed by practicing administrators as well as community-based organizations like Learn to Earn Dayton, who consistently delivers outcomes for Ohio children.
We need to follow the research and do better for the kids of our state, and that means aligning all our efforts around the science of reading.
Thomas J Lasley, II is director of Policy and Advocacy, Learn to Earn Dayton and the Montgomery County Educational Service Center. Jennifer Blatz is president and CEO of StriveTogether.
