Overview
- The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s review of 48 educator-prep programs found 10 not in alignment with the state’s Science of Reading law, with Ohio State, Ohio University, Cleveland State, Toledo, Bowling Green, Central State, Defiance, Ohio Christian, Ohio Dominican, and Wright State on the list.
- Auditors used a 73-metric framework with a 71-metric threshold, identifying 33 programs as aligned and five as partially aligned for meeting core metrics without violations.
- Nonalignment typically reflected at least one instance of banned methods such as three-cueing, whole language, or balanced literacy, with Ohio State cited for 17 noncompliant course sections.
- Cleveland State says it replaced a single textbook on Dec. 2 to meet requirements, and Ohio State says outdated materials are being updated, with ODHE now validating claimed corrections.
- Programs have one year to fully comply or risk loss of state approval, under a mandate that took effect Jan. 1, 2025, backed by state funding for training, materials, and literacy coaches, as public debate continues over academic freedom and implementation support.