The science of reading comes to Ohio classrooms. What's that? How can parents help?

All Ohio schools will teach the science of reading this school year in an attempt to bring up literacy rates across the state.

Gov. Mike DeWine is a huge proponent of this phonics-based approach to literacy, which he proposed as part of the state's budget . Lawmakers approved the push and now all Ohio schools are retraining teachers and getting new curricula to teach kids how to read.

But what is the science of reading? Here's what parents need to know ahead of the 2024-25 school year.

What is the science of reading?

The science of reading is one of two widely taught literacy methods. The science of reading is also referred to as structured literacy and teaches students to break down words by letters and sounds.

The other commonly known method is called balanced literacy or whole language. This approach teaches students strategies to uncover unknown words by looking at other words in a sentence or pictures.

'We know what works': DeWine pushes Ohio schools to adopt science-based literacy education

Many experts, and DeWine, are now saying that evidence points to the science of reading as the best approach.

Is the science of reading a specific curriculum or program?

No.

The science of reading is a collection of research that shows, over time, the best ways to teach kids how to read. It does have basic principles, or five "big ideas," according to the National Center on Improving Literacy. They are:

• Phonemic awareness, which is the ability to identity and play with individual sounds in spoken words.
• Phonics, which is understanding how letters and groups of letters link to sounds.
• Fluency, which is the ability to read words, phrases, sentences and stories correctly with speed and expression.
• Vocabulary, which is knowing what words mean and how to use them properly.
• Comprehension, which is the ability to understand what you are reading.

What is Ohio's youth literacy rate?

About 38% of the state's third-graders are not proficient in reading, according to the most recent Ohio report card data . This is a slight increase from the 2021-22 school year.

Kids who are not reading at grade level must be on reading improvement and monitoring plans aligned to the science of reading, and receive high-dosage tutoring.

Are all teachers being retrained? How much does that cost?

The state has set aside up to $43 million for professional development in the science of reading for teachers. All teachers and administrators must complete a science of reading course by June 30, 2025. This course was developed in partnership with Keys to Literacy , an educational consultant company based in Massachusetts.

The course is provided by the state and is free, and all teachers who complete the course will receive a stipend of $400 or $1,200. Administrators will not receive stipends.

How can parents support literacy at home?

The state refers to the National Center on Improving Literacy 's guide for parents and families when it comes to helping kids learn to read and write.

The center recommends the following activities to help with your child's early literacy development:

• Read together, taking turns with your child reading parts of a book. Ask your child, in open-ended questions, what they think about the story and how they might connect to it.
• Sing nursery rhymes.
• Play audiobooks or read aloud. This increases the amount of language your child is exposed to.
• Label objects in your home.
• Talk about everyday experiences and tell stories to help your child build background knowledge on various topics.

For older kids, the center recommends playing word games, talking about the meaning of different words and still reading together and talking about books. Ask questions before, during and after reading together.

Parents can support adolescents in literacy by talking with them about all things including school and current events, providing various, age-appropriate reading materials around your home and being a good role model by reading yourself.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The science of reading comes to Ohio classrooms. What's that? How can parents help?