AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine and first lady Fran DeWine made a stop in the Mahoning Valley on Thursday as they continued their tour across the state to celebrate schools that have earned the Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award.
The DeWines, along with Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, visited Austintown Elementary School, joining district administrators, school officials and teachers for a roundtable discussion about how they use the Science of Reading to shape their literacy instruction.
“Schools like the ones we’re celebrating today are seeing more engagement and better reading comprehension since they started using the Science of Reading,” the governor said. They also visited Perry Elementary School in Zanesville on Thursday. “Many students are learning about history, science and other subjects at the same time they’re learning to read. It helps make students excited to learn. These schools are setting their kids up for success throughout school and throughout life.”
From the 2021-22 school year to the 2023-24 school year, Austintown Elementary School more than doubled the number of kindergarten students who are on track with reading. The school’s third grade reading proficiency rate is at nearly 84% – about 12% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
During his State of the State address last month, DeWine highlighted Austintown Elementary School as an example of a school that is experiencing success using the Science of Reading.
After the roundtable, the governor and first lady visited students in kindergarten and first grade classes to observe literacy instruction in action. They also presented the school with a congratulatory Science of Reading Champions banner.
The DeWines have also visited schools in West Carrollton, Columbus and Wheelersburg as part of their Science of Reading Champions tour.