‘We Know What Works’ DeWine Pushes Ohio Schools to Adopt Science-Based Literacy Education
Source: www.dispatch.com
The push for phonics-based literacy education, often referred to as the “science of reading,” is gaining momentum in Ohio, with Governor Mike DeWine leading the charge. This approach emphasizes structured literacy, where students learn to break words down into phonemes or sounds, as opposed to the whole language method, which relies on context clues and pictures.
DeWine’s advocacy for the science of reading stems from its proven effectiveness and its importance in keeping Ohio’s workforce competitive. He views literacy as a fundamental right and believes that all children deserve the opportunity to learn to read proficiently. The sentiment is echoed by Kareem Weaver, an NAACP activist and teacher who produced the documentary “The Right to Read,” which champions the cause of literacy as a civil rights issue.
The debate over how children learn to read has been ongoing for years, but recent research, including a federally funded study from the University of Delaware, has shown the long-term benefits of structured literacy over cueing programs like Reading Recovery. Despite this evidence, there are challenges to implementing structured literacy, including resistance from some educational organizations.
Governor DeWine has been actively touring the state, urging educators and policymakers to embrace the science of reading. He has called for universities to incorporate structured literacy into teacher education programs and for preschool curriculum to align with this approach. DeWine’s efforts also include roundtable discussions and screenings of “The Right to Read” documentaries to raise awareness about the importance of phonics-based literacy education.
Overall, the push for the science of reading in Ohio reflects a growing recognition of the importance of evidence-based approaches to literacy education and a commitment to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to develop strong reading skills.
Read more about this story: https://ohio.childreninfobank.com/safebank/we-know-what-works-dewine-pushes-ohio-schools-to-adopt-science-based-literacy-education/
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