News and Events for February 19 Through March 1, 2024

Teaching Decoding to Adolescent Readers

We are excited to offer an additional session of Teaching Decoding to Adolescent Readers in collaboration with the Summit ESC, on February 22. This specially curated session aims to provide you with advanced techniques and insights essential for enhancing literacy development in adolescent learners.

You'll engage with experienced educators and peers in a collaborative setting, sharing best practices and exploring new approaches to literacy instruction. During this session, we'll dive into: Effective strategies for teaching decoding skills to adolescent readers, Methodologies to empower you in guiding young learners, Practical approaches to enhance literacy instruction.

This event is a fantastic opportunity for educators to gain valuable insights and tools to strengthen the reading foundations of adolescent students. Join us to enhance your literacy teaching techniques and make a lasting impact on your students.

We are looking forward to an insightful day of learning and discovery!

PBIS Tier 1 Overview and Refresher

Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the PBIS framework, this refresher is designed to provide you with valuable insights, strategies, and updates to enhance your knowledge and skills. Join us in a dynamic and interactive learning environment where you can collaborate with like-minded professionals, share best practices, and further empower your school community. Don't miss out on this chance to rejuvenate your PBIS expertise and make a positive impact in your school

K-12 Principals Network

“No decisions about me without me”. Join us on February 27 from 9-10:30 to learn more about effective classroom practices and methods to capture student voice. We will explore ways to include students in building a culture of respect and inclusivity. Please register to receive updates and information.

PBIS Leaders Network

Our next in-person meeting will include a high school/middle school panel who will discuss student voice and experience. Be part of a dynamic community of educators, leaders, and change-makers as we gather to share success stories, explore cutting-edge strategies, and unite to elevate student outcomes.

State Support Team 8 Directory of Summer Activities for Children with Disabilities

SST8 directory of summer activities for children with disabilities is now LIVE! The directory can be found HERE . SST8 is pleased to offer to our three-county region this comprehensive listing of summer camp and activity options. This list was developed with children and adolescents with disabilities in mind, knowing that many families can have difficulty finding summer programming that can accommodate their unique needs. However, many of these programs and activities are inclusive and are open to individuals with all types of strengths and needs.

Information about these programs is gathered and compiled by SST8. We reach out annually to these programs to request that they provide any new updates to their offerings, tuition, or website. If you have any additions you would like to see in the directory or identify something that needs updating, please contact Chrissy Wooley at ChrissyW@sst8.org

Ohio Improvement Process

Learn more about the Ohio Improvement Process.

Check out OLAC’s overview videos with Michele Moore of the Ohio Improvement Process (Part 1 and Part 2 ).

Lots of Changes Mean Lots of Questions

The Department has several email boxes to assist in providing answers to policy questions, in writing, to the districts you support. Please remind districts they can reach out to the following email boxes.

Ohio's Dyslexia Support Laws: Dyslexia@education.ohio.gov

Third Grade Reading Guarantee: ThirdGradeGuarantee@education.ohio.gov

Reading Achievement Plans: ReadingPlans@education.ohio.gov

General Literacy: ReadOhio@education.ohio.gov

EDSTEPS UPDATES

DEW has released CCIP Note with EDSTEPS updates. The ED STEPS One Plan is now open for the school year 2024-2025 planning. You can access the One Plan through the ED STEPS application in the Ohio Identification (OHID) system. Educational entities in Cohort 1 must complete a three-year needs assessment and One Plan. The deadline for Cohort 1 entities to complete the ED STEPS One Needs Assessment and Plan is April 30, 2024. You can use the EDSTEPS Quality Plan review rubric to guide your One Needs Assessment and One Plan process. The EDSTEPS user manual is also a great resource that includes rubrics for each office that may be triggered to review your plan.

Core Curriculum and Instructional Materials

The Department’s initial list of approved core curriculum and instructional materials includes all materials that met the required criteria under processes for automatic approval and limited alignment review for prekindergarten and kindergarten-grade 5. To learn more about approved core curriculum and instructional materials, including contact information and program details provided by the respective vendor, access the hyperlinked product title.

The Department is reviewing additional programs as part of Phase 2 in the phased review process. A list of core curriculum and instructional materials under review will be available in early February. Additional approved materials may be added to the approved list in March 2024 following the Department’s review.

Save the Date: 7th Annual Literacy Academy

The Literacy Academy, brought to you by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, is returning in-person on June 10-11, 2024, in Columbus! The seventh annual Literacy Academy will provide professional learning to support the use of evidence-based language and literacy practices. This event is intended for Ohio districts, schools and early care and education programs working toward raising literacy achievement. There are no registration fees to attend this event.

Registration will open in spring 2024. Please continue to check our website for additional information. Questions may be emailed to ReadOhio@education.ohio.gov.

$$ Job Coach/Skills Trainer Project $$

Opportunity to increase the number and capacity of job coaches who serve Ohio's students with disabilities ages 14-21 participating in work experiences!

Funds are available for up to 50 Ohio educational agencies as defined in Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-01 (B) (18) to build capacity of new or current school personnel who are or will be acting as a job coach for a student with a disability while the student is working on a job site. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, until all 50 slots are filled. The total amount of the project cannot exceed $11,400.00.

Please complete and return the application and scope of work Job-Coach-Skills-Trainer-Project-February 2024.pdf to Amy Szymanski amy.szymanski@education.ohio.gov and Karrie Calzo karrie.calzo@education.ohio.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday February 22, 2024.

Structured Literacy Process Tool

The Structured Literacy Certification Process Tool, developed by members of the State Literacy Network, is now available on the Department website. The tool includes a comprehensive checklist of items for districts to consider when establishing their structured literacy certification process.

Science of Reading Professional Development

In an effort to keep you all informed of the new requirements regarding the required Science of Reading Professional Development, here is the latest information we have from DEW and the OAESA Roundtable held in January.

District Requirements

Must require teachers and administrators to complete the SoR PD course by 6/30/25.
Districts are responsible for paying a stipend for full completion of the DEW course
The Department will reimburse districts for PD stipends. More information will be coming soon on the process for reimbursement.

Administrator Requirements

Must complete the course by 6/30/25
Includes district/building administrators with the following licenses (superintendent, alternative superintendent, administrative specialist, alternative administrative specialist, principal, and alternative principal licenses)
Administrators previously completing a similar course are not required to take the course.
Administrators are NOT eligible for the stipends.

Educator Requirements

The following roles must complete the Department's SOR course by 6/30/25.
Teachers of grades K through 5
ELA teachers of grades 6 through 12
Intervention Specialists
PK through 12
English Learner teachers
Reading Specialists
Instructional Coaches
Teachers who teach a subject area other than ELA in grades 6 through 12
Music, Art, PE Teachers & AP and IB Teachers etc.: There is NO carve out to exempt these teachers under the Science of Reading PD legislation. NO EXEMPTIONS.
CTE HS: This PD is required for all public district and community schools including career tech schools.
Similar training courses to the Department's SoR PD

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