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Eric Vinyard of Hicks Partners is helping to interpret Reading legislation in Ohio and shares what parents should keep in mind when it comes to recent changes.
What should parents know about the new Reading legislation in Ohio?
The state’s biennial operating budget for FY24–25 was enacted in July and included changes to both the Third Grade Reading Guarantee and the Dyslexia Support Law. Parents should know changes to the Third Grade Reading Guarantee include the ability for a student to be promoted to fourth grade regardless of the student’s ability to read at grade level if requested by a parent or guardian and in consultation with their reading teacher and building principal. Reading intervention services including high dosage tutoring opportunities aligned to the science of reading are also required for any student reading below grade level until it is reached. Changes to the Dyslexia Support Law include requiring schools to administer dyslexia screenings to transfer students within certain timelines although not if one has already been administered to a transfer student at their previous school during that school year.
Do you have any advice for parents who are passionate about reading instruction in Ohio?
Knowledge may be power, but education is the conduit for knowledge. There are myriad resources out there from the state and private groups offering fantastic explanations on effective reading instruction and ways to improve outcomes for children, but few people understand how to leverage these resources effectively. Educate yourself and share these resources with individuals who have the power to utilize them in practice or drive systemic change(s). These individuals may include teachers and school administrators or maybe it’s simply your next-door neighbor. Also, never underestimate your ability to contact your elected officials letting them know how important effective reading instruction is for your child. Your voice matters and can affect change in major ways.
How does the new legislation impact teachers?
Changes within the state’s biennial operating budget impacting teachers are overwhelmingly tied to operational and educational supports and are too numerous to list in full. However, a key change to the Dyslexia Support Law concerns the timeline for when teachers must complete dyslexia professional development training. Additional changes are targeting teachers-in-training too as the Department of Education & Workforce must collaborate with institutions of higher education to create an appropriate training course aligned to the science of reading; completion of this course will be required professional development for all teachers and administrators by July 30, 2025, unless they have already completed a similar course.
Wilson Reading System®
At Springer we are proud of our reading program which follows the science of reading and leads to significant progress. To help area schools effectively teach their struggling readers, courses leading to certification in the Wilson Reading System are offered through the Springer Learning Center. Dates for 2004 courses are scheduled now and registration will open soon.
Thank you to guest blogger Eric Vinyard, Manager of Government Affairs and Public Relations at Hicks Partners.
