YSU Meets State Requirements for Educator Preparation

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Youngstown State University’s educator preparation program is one of 33 in the state designated as in alignment with reading instruction requirements, according to a recent state audit.

It’s also one of 14 to meet all metrics in reading instruction, the audit found.

The audit, released Tuesday, was conducted to determine the extent to which college educator preparation programs in Ohio are aligned with the Science of Reading, as required by state law.

“Decades of research tells us the Science of Reading gives students of all ability levels the best chance to become strong, independent readers,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a news release. “Our kids only have one chance to grow up. We have an obligation to act with great urgency to make sure every future teacher going through our college programs is learning the best way to teach reading.”

The Science of Reading is a framework based on phonics through which educators teach children to read.

In April 2024, DeWine and Steve Dackin, superintendent of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, led a discussion at YSU about the importance of literacy and education in the state’s future. In 2023, DeWine worked with the state legislature to require schools of all levels to become aligned with the Science of Reading. State law gave Ohio colleges and universities that educate future teachers until Jan. 1, 2025, to become fully aligned.

Besides the 33 colleges and universities determined by the audit to be in alignment with teaching the Science of Reading, five are in partial alignment and 10 are not in alignment. 

Kent State University and the universities of Akron and Mount Union also are among the 33 in alignment and also met all metrics. 

The audit identified Kent State University and Lourdes University in Sylvania as exemplars. 

“Kent State executed cross‑campus course synchronization led by faculty with science of reading expertise, embedded structured‑literacy practice into coursework and field supervision and pursued grant‑supported professional learning,” the audit reported.