Bringing Phonics to Life: The Science of Reading for Preschoolers in Ohio

by Beatrice

Ohio is expanding its push to implement the science of reading, a phonics-based approach to teaching reading, by offering free training and financial incentives to preschool teachers. This initiative follows the state’s mandate in 2023 that required elementary schools to adopt the science of reading as the sole method for teaching literacy.

Governor Mike DeWine, along with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, has been offering voluntary, online training in the science of reading to preschool educators for nearly a year. Last month, the state allocated $5 million in federal funds to provide $750 bonuses to teachers and administrators who complete at least 10 hours of training by next summer.

In a press release announcing the grants, DeWine stated, “By providing Science of Reading training for those who teach and care for our young children, we will be empowering these educators to lay the groundwork for more of our kids to reach their full potential.”

Within a week of the announcement, more than 500 teachers had applied for the bonuses.

Early childhood experts emphasize that while preschool classrooms typically focus less on formal reading instruction compared to kindergarten and first grade, teachers can still promote early literacy through playful activities, songs, and games that engage young children’s understanding of letters and their sounds.

Lily Wong Fillmore, Emerita Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Susan Neumann, Professor at New York University, wrote earlier this year, “Early-learning experiences have exponential power: they can shape lifelong learning habits and accelerate literacy, particularly for English-language learners.”

Despite a lack of clear data on how many states have introduced science of reading programs for preschoolers, experts say it is becoming a growing trend. Lori Connors-Tadros, a researcher at the National Institute for Early Childhood Education Research, noted that some states are requiring or encouraging science of reading methods in their state-funded pre-K programs.

Ohio’s commitment to the science of reading is part of a broader national movement. In 2023, the state passed legislation mandating that elementary schools use the science of reading by the 2024-2025 school year. The state set aside $64 million to help school districts purchase new materials and to train teachers from kindergarten onward in the science of reading approach.

Since the rollout, more than 85,000 K-12 teachers in Ohio have completed training, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

In addition to the grants for preschool teachers, Ohio also offers two tracks of free online training for preschool staff, one for teaching three- and four-year-olds and another for working with infants and toddlers. These lessons, available through the Rollins Center for Language & Literacy in Atlanta, have been available since last December.

At the First Baptist Church Children’s Center in Shaker Heights, Ohio, preschool director Jane Pernicone has encouraged her staff to take the classes and earn the bonuses. Though the center already uses science of reading through its Creative Curriculum, Pernicone sees the training as a helpful reinforcement for teachers.

“It’s good awareness for staff to realize… ‘oh, I should focus on building vocabulary’… as opposed to just making sure children know their ABCs,” Pernicone said. “There’s a lot of good content, just kind of a reframing of good practices.”

The $5 million for preschool grants comes from the federal Preschool Development Birth through Five Grant and the Child Care and Development Fund. DeWine’s office has not commented on whether his upcoming state budget proposal will include additional funding for preschool reading training.

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