(The Center Square) – Ohio plans to spend $5 million to train early-care and early-education teachers to teach reading earlier.
The taxpayer-funded grants will go to child care centers, family child care homes, and school-age programs as financial incentives for administrators to lead teachers who finish 10 hours of training in the Science of Reading. The money is federal funding from the preschool Development Birth through Five Grant and the Child Care and Development Fund.
It’s the first time the grants will be used to incentivize early-care and education programs to be trained in the program.
“Decades of research shows us that this method is the best way young brains learn how to read, and we know that the earlier a child can read well, the more success they will have in school and throughout life,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “By providing Science of Reading training for those who teach and care for our young children, we will be empowering these educators to lay the groundwork for more of our kids to reach their full potential.”
DeWine has pushed for implementation of the Science of Reading in all schools throughout the state for several years with the state’s Step Up To Quality rating system, which is expected to help families identify high-quality early care and education programs.
To become quality-rated, programs must feature well-trained teachers and a strong focus on preparing children for kindergarten. These programs focus on meeting the comprehensive needs of children and allow families to feel confident they are choosing the best program for their child.
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth will reach out directly to early care and education programs eligible for the grants with instructions on how to apply.
