Ohio reading scores rise. Is the science of reading working?

By: Patrick O’Donnell, The 74

Outlets: Ohio Capital Journal

Published: October 7, 2026

Words: 1,200

Last Updated: 1 week, 4 days ago

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This story was originally published by The 74.

Ohio students’ reading scores rose slightly last school year, the first the science of reading was mandated, but it’s too soon to say whether the phonics-based lessons are making a difference.

About 63 percent of Ohio third graders — the grade educators have long considered the most crucial for mastering reading — scored as proficient on spring 2026 state tests, up two percentage points from …

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