(The Center Square) – At a time when the U.S. Department of Education is pausing federal funding allocations to states, Ohio announced it’s sending more than $45 million in federal money to schools around the state for literacy projects.
The state plans to funnel the $45.9 million to 33 schools and districts. It’s part of a $60 million grant from the federal Education Department.
The money is expected to expand the state’s ReadOhio initiative in K-12 grades and professional learning for educators. The focus will be on underserved students.
“Literacy is the foundation for all learning,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “By investing in our educators and aligning instruction to the Science of Reading, we are giving every Ohio student the opportunity to read confidently, succeed academically, and reach their full potential.”
The grants are expected to establish comprehensive literacy sites that provide professional development and daily reading instruction with full family engagement. The sites are also expected to partner with community organizations, like libraries and colleges and universities.
“Ohio is investing in long-term literacy success,” Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin said. “The learning experiences we provide today lead to tomorrow’s opportunities and these grants empower schools to deliver high-quality, research-based instruction, ensuring every learner receives the right tools to succeed.”
DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney told The Center Square the literacy grants are not part of the U.S. Department of Education’s plan to pause federal education funding.
As previously reported by The Center Square, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, called the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to stop $185 million in education funding for Ohio an assault on children throughout the state.
Ohio isn’t one of the 24 states and the District of Columbia that filed suit Monday over the Trump administration’s decision to withhold $6.8 billion in education funding.
These states are calling this freeze unconstitutional, unlawful and an arbitrary decision. Each year on July 1, states receive their federal education funds Congress has allocated for the upcoming school year.
