Early into ‘science of reading’ transition, how are Ohio schools adapting?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Fewer Ohio public school districts received top scores in early literacy last school year in the state report cards that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released Monday.

This is noteworthy because the state has begun transitioning to the “science of reading,” an instructional approach that emphasizes phonics and vocabulary over a previous approach known as “three-cueing,” “whole language” or “balanced literacy,” in which students learn to read from visual cues and a text’s meaning.

In the 2024-2025 school year, which Monday’s report card reflects, 5.4% of districts received the top ratings of 5 stars; 16.6% received 4 stars. This is down from the 2023-2024 school year, in which 9.1% and 28% received 5 and 4 stars, respectively.

The Ohio Department of Edu