Ohio Boosts Reading Coaches to Implement 'Science of Reading'

Governor DeWine announces 50 new coaches to work with teachers on phonics-based literacy instruction

Mar. 11, 2026 at 8:08pm

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the state will hire 50 additional reading coaches to work side-by-side with teachers in K-8 classrooms to help implement the 'science of reading' approach to literacy instruction. This comes after the state found many schools are not properly using high-quality science of reading materials or intervention programs.

Why it matters

The 'science of reading' focuses on phonics-based instruction, which research shows is more effective than previous approaches like 'three-cueing' that emphasized context over phonics. However, some school districts are facing budget challenges that could impact their ability to fully adopt the new reading curriculum and teaching methods.

The details

DeWine said the new ReadOhio coaches will work directly with teachers to help them properly use science of reading instructional materials and intervention programs. The state is also creating regional 'science of reading instructional implementation teams' made up of trained experts to provide broader support to schools. The goal is to reach at least 70 more schools beyond the 151 schools currently served by the existing 97 ReadOhio coaches.

  • DeWine announced the new reading coaches during his 2026 State of the State address on March 11, 2026.
  • The 50 new ReadOhio coaches will be hired and deployed to schools starting in the fall of 2026.

The players

Mike DeWine

The Governor of Ohio who announced the new reading coach initiative.

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

The state agency that will hire the 50 new ReadOhio coaches and create the regional science of reading implementation teams.

Melissa Cropper

The President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, who expressed concerns that school budget cuts could undermine the state's reading initiatives.

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What they’re saying

“Even with a requirement in the law that the science of reading be taught in all Ohio classrooms, we are finding too many instances where our high-quality science of reading instructional materials are still on the shelf -- in the wrapper, unopened. Or, that intervention materials are not being used correctly -- if at all.”

— Mike DeWine, Governor (cleveland.com)

“You talk about adding 50 more coaches at the state level at a time where in Toledo, they're cutting instructional coaches in the district because they are trying to balance their budget.”

— Melissa Cropper, President, Ohio Federation of Teachers (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will begin hiring the 50 new ReadOhio coaches over the summer of 2026 to be deployed to schools by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The takeaway

Ohio's push to implement the 'science of reading' approach to literacy instruction highlights the challenge of ensuring new teaching methods are properly adopted, even when mandated by state law. The state's efforts to provide more on-the-ground support for teachers could help, but budget constraints at the local level may undermine those efforts in some districts.