The term “science of reading” refers to an interdisciplinary body of scientific evidence that:

• Informs how students learn to read and write proficiently.
• Indicates that all students benefit from explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing to become effective readers.
• Explains why some students have difficulty with reading and writing.
• Does not rely on any model of teaching students to read based on meaning, structure and syntax, and visual cues, including a three-cueing approach.

Ohio House Bill (HB) 33 of the 135th General Assembly mandates a shift in school curriculum, teacher training, and reading intervention approaches. The following resources may be helpful to library staff in youth services and outreach, especially those who plan and present storytimes and early literacy programs.

Resources:

• Science of Reading Webinars for Public Libraries
  March — May 2024
• Science of Reading Toolkit
  ODEW resources and timeline
• Approved List of Core Curriculum and Instructional Materials
  ODEW’s list of approved core curriculum and instructional materials
• What is the Science of Reading
  by Dr. Timothy Shanahan on Reading Rockets
• Why more U.S. schools are embracing a new ‘science of reading’
  by Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press on PBS News Hour
• Requirements under HB 33 of the 135th General Assembly, Ohio Revised Code 3313.6028
• Information regarding science of reading professional development and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about those requirements

Video:

What is the Science of Reading?
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) offers a 45-minute course on the science of reading that guides participants in recognizing and explaining the different aspects of the science of reading and enhances their comprehension of successful approaches to literacy instruction. The course includes a short video, resources, reflection questions and articles to briefly summarize the topic and provide practical steps that can be applied in classrooms, coaching sessions or team meetings to improve literacy instruction.

More Information:

Third Grade Reading Guarantee
HB 33 also includes several legislative changes to the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. Most immediately, the changes affect the promotion of students who were in grade 3 in the 2022-2023 school year. The State Board of Education and the Department also have set the 2023-2024 Third Grade Reading Guarantee promotion scores. Finally, the new legislation created measures that will take effect in the 2023-2024 school year related to parental exemption requests; parent notification; reading improvement and monitoring plans (RIMP) requirements; and reading intervention requirements for EdChoice and Cleveland scholarship recipients.

“All Students Can Read” instructional series
ODEW’s “All Students Can Read” instructional series aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of special educators in reading science, utilizing research and theoretical models to support reading science, assessment, and instruction within a multitiered system of support.

Ohio’s Phonics Rule
Ohio’s Phonics Rule outlines the requirements for teaching phonics by providing the nine components needed in phonics instruction and the definitions that connect to instruction.

• Explicit and Systematic Phonics Instruction
  ODEW Literacy on Demand course that provides helpful strategies, resources and practices in teaching phonics.

Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards
The Early Learning and Development Standards are the result of a collaborative effort between the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The newly revised standards provide a clear and comprehensive set of expectations for content to guide early childhood programs and educators.

Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement
Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement serves as a guide to evidence-based language and literacy teaching and learning for all learners from birth through grade 12. This plan articulates a state literacy framework aimed at promoting proficiency in reading, writing and communication for all learners.

2024-2025 School Year:

HB 33 requires the Department of Education and Workforce to establish a list of core curriculum and instructional materials in English Language Arts, and a list of evidence-based reading intervention programs, that are aligned with the science of reading and strategies for effective literacy instruction. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, schools will be required to use the core curriculum and instructional materials from the lists established by the Department of Education and Workforce.