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OHIO — Literacy continues to be a priority for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and first lady Fran DeWine.
On Monday, the two joined students at two Ohio schools showing major progress with reading as part of the Governor’s Literacy Leaders Tour. The tour is part of DeWine’s initiative to celebrate schools using the Science of Reading to improve literacy outcomes.
“We see time and again that as teachers and students become more comfortable using the Science of Reading in the classroom, it results in a very positive learning experience,” said DeWine in a news release. “Kids are excited to read and achieve their goals, and their schools are seeing amazing results. The schools we visited today are additional examples of how we’re setting up students for success in school and throughout life.”
They first visited Cherry Hill Primary in Washington Court House before going to Willowville Elementary School in Union Township, near Batavia.
At Cherry Hill Primary, preschool classes are offered within the building through a partnership between Washington Court House City Schools and Fayette County Early Learning Center. The school’s early learning program is gold-rated through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s Step Up to Quality program, meaning the preschool introduces students to instruction based on the Science of Reading.
The early introduction helps students transition smoothly using the instruction. Approximately 90.8% of kindergarten students score “on track” for their reading skills.
Senator Shane Wilkin and Rep. Bob Peterson joined the DeWines and Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente for a roundtable discussion with administrators and educators.
Earlier this year, Cherry Hill Primary earned the Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award.
DeWine and his wife then went to Willowville Elementary School, an early adopter of the Science of Reading.
Since 2023, the school’s fourth grade English Language Arts proficiency has increased from 66.3% to 69.3% and fifth-grade proficiency has risen from 66.7% to 80.5%.
The two joined another roundtable discussion with West Clermont Superintendent Dr. David Fultz, Willowville Elementary Principal Trish Hiler, and several other school and district leaders. Rep. Jean Schmidt and Rep. Adam C. Bird from the Ohio House of Representatives were also in attendance.
Willowville Elementary was among the inaugural schools to earn the Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award this spring.
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Madison MacArthur
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