During his visit to New London Schools, Governor Mike DeWine underscored the state’s commitment to enhancing literacy through the Ohio Science of Reading Initiative. The program, designed to equip teachers with research-backed strategies, has shown remarkable results in improving reading proficiency among elementary students. DeWine praised educators for their dedication and highlighted the role of ongoing professional development, ensuring that all students receive evidence-based instruction tailored to their needs.

Key aspects emphasized during the tour included:

  • Targeted teacher training focusing on phonemic awareness and decoding skills
  • Data-driven assessments to monitor student progress in real time
  • Community partnerships supporting literacy outside the classroom
  • Expanded access to early intervention resources for struggling readers

The impact of these efforts is visible in rising reading scores across participating districts:

District 2019 Reading Proficiency 2023 Reading Proficiency
New London 62% 85%
Ashland 58% 83%
Medina 65% 88%