February 4, 2026
Save the date: 2026 ReadOhio Literacy Academy and Teacher Leadership Summit
Save the date for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s 2026 Read Ohio Literacy Academy and Ohio Teacher Leadership Summit, taking place June 3 and 4 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
The theme of this year’s event is “Integrating Systems for Student Success.” The conference 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; registration will open in the spring.
Direct questions to ReadOhio@education.ohio.gov.
The Department looks forward to welcoming attendees in Columbus.
Now Available: K-3 Reading Diagnostics and RIMPs for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities & Complex Needs Recorded Webinar
The Department has collaborated with OCALI to record a webinar discussing the K-3 reading diagnostic and RIMP interventions for students with low incidence disabilities & complex needs. The webinar features the following sections:
- 1:29 Third Grade Reading Guarantee Legislation
- 8:06 Question #1 How do we conduct a universal screener (K-3 reading diagnostic) for students with low incidence disabilities and complex communications needs?
- 24:32 Question #2 What do we do if a student scores “0” or the results of the universal screener are un-scoreable because the assessment does not have appropriate accommodations?
- 35:03 Question #3 How do we progress monitor students with low-incidence disabilities and complex communication needs?
- 44:22 Question #4 How do we use assessment results to develop a RIMP/provide intervention for students with low-incidence disabilities and complex communication needs?
Register now for monthly webinars that support initiatives and high-quality instruction
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is launching monthly webinars to provide updates and answer initiative-related questions to support high-quality instruction. District instructional leaders are encouraged to register for the webinar sessions. Future webinar topics will be announced each month on the Department’s website.
Each webinar takes place on an upcoming Friday at 10 a.m.
- Jan. 23: Advanced Learning Opportunities in Mathematics and Updates from the Office of Academic Success
Save the dates for upcoming webinars:
- Feb. 13 — Register
- March 13
- April 17
- May 8
Office hours will also be recorded and posted to the Department’s Academic Success Resources webpage. Direct questions to AcademicSuccess@education.ohio.gov.
January 9, 2026
New Information about the Department’s Science of Reading Refresher Course
Under Ohio law, teachers, administrators, school psychologists, and speech language pathologists are required to take the Department’s forthcoming Refresher Course in the Science of Reading. Please see the Department’s Science of Reading Professional Development webpage for completion timelines.
The Department’s Science of Reading Refresher Course will consist of two modules. Module One will provide a grade-band specific review of the major components of the Science of Reading and Simple View of Reading. Module One will also contain options for either grades K-5 or 6-12. Participants must choose one of these Module One options.
Participants will then be able to select from several options in Module Two. The options in Module Two will focus on literacy instruction for specific student populations and content areas. Some of these options will include Literacy for English Learners, Students with Reading Difficulties, Math, Science, Social Studies, the Arts, and Career Technical Education. Participants must complete at least one option in Module Two.
The options for Module Two will continue to be developed throughout 2026 and 2027. The Department will announce when they are available. The Department anticipates that Module One and a small batch of Module Two options will be available in late spring of 2026. Information about Refresher Course options for Birth-K entry educators is forthcoming.
For more information about Ohio’s Science of Reading Professional Development requirements, please see the Department’s Science of Reading Professional Development webpage. Please direct questions to ReadOhio@education.ohio.gov.
December 8, 2025
Update on K-3 Reading and Math Diagnostic Assessment Approved Lists
Three Assessments Approved for the Department’s 2026-2027 List of K-3 Reading Diagnostics
Under a recent change to Ohio law, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce must revise its current approved list of K-3 reading diagnostic assessments to include no more than five reading diagnostic assessments by June 30, 2026. The updated list will be effective beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
The revised list must include three currently approved K-3 reading diagnostic assessments that were the most used statewide prior to Sept. 30, 2025. Accordingly, the Department has determined that the following approved K-3 reading diagnostic assessments were the three most used statewide prior to Sept. 30, 2025:
- I-Ready Assessment
- NWEA MAP Growth
- Acadience Reading K-6/Acadience Reading K-6 (formerly DIBELS Next)
As a result, the three assessments above will remain on the Department’s revised approved list of K-3 reading diagnostic assessments for the 2026-2027 school year.
Two additional assessments will be added to the Department’s revised approved list of K-3 Reading Diagnostics through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. The Department will begin accepting vendor applications for its RFQ process on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, and expects the process to conclude in early 2026.
Frequent updates will be shared with district leaders statewide and posted on the Department’s approved assessment webpage.
Please direct questions to ThirdGradeGuarantee@education.ohio.gov.
The Department is Seeking Vendor Proposals for K-3 Mathematics Diagnostic Assessments
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is seeking vendor qualifications in response to the Department’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a list of up to five K-3 Mathematics Diagnostic Assessments for use by Ohio school districts for the 2026-2027 school year.
Districts may choose to inform any assessment vendors they wish to be considered that the RFQ has been posted to http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Common-Application-for-Requests-for-Qualifications.
The Department will begin accepting vendor applications for its RFQ process on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, and expects the process to conclude in early 2026.
Please direct questions to Mathematics@Education.ohio.gov.