Governor and First Lady DeWine Continue Literacy Leaders Tour
Visits Monday included Cherry Hill Primary School in Fayette County and Willowville Elementary School in Clermont County
 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited Cherry Hill Primary School in Fayette County as they continued their Literacy Leaders Tour -- spotlighting schools across the state that are using the Science of Reading to improve literacy outcomes. They were also joined by Sen. Shane Wilkin and Rep. Bob Peterson.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited a pair of Ohio schools today where young students are making great strides when it comes to reading.
The stops are part of the Governor’s Literacy Leaders Tour – his initiative to celebrate schools that stand out for the ways they are using the Science of Reading to improve student engagement and literacy outcomes.
“We see time and again that as teachers and students become more comfortable using the Science of Reading in the classroom, it results in a very positive learning experience,” said Governor DeWine. “Kids are excited to read and achieve their goals, and their schools are seeing amazing results. The schools we visited today are additional examples of how we’re setting up students for success in school and throughout life.”
Cherry Hill Primary School
The Governor and First Lady’s first stop was at Cherry Hill Primary School in Washington Court House.
Cherry Hill Primary offers preschool classes directly in their school building through a partnership between Washington Court House City Schools and Fayette County Early Learning Center.
 For the Governor and First Lady's first stop of the day at Cherry Hill Primary, they visited a preschool classroom and a kindergarten classroom.
Their early learning program is gold-rated through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s (DCY) Step Up To Quality program – meaning the preschool introduces students to instruction grounded in the Science of Reading, helping ensure they are prepared for kindergarten.
As a PK-2 facility, Cherry Hill allows students to transition smoothly from preschool into kindergarten while continuing to use the Science of Reading. This cohesive educational pathway has been impactful for students, with 90.8% of their kindergarten students scoring “on track” for their reading skills.
 As a PK-2 facility, Cherry Hill allows students to transition smoothly from preschool into kindergarten while continuing to use the Science of Reading.
During Monday’s visit, Governor and First Lady DeWine joined DCY Director Kara Wente for a roundtable discussion with administrators and educators from the Fayette County Early Learning Center and the Washington Court House City School District.
They were also joined by Ohio Senator Shane Wilkin and Representative Bob Peterson.
The Governor and First Lady also visited a preschool classroom and a kindergarten classroom to see, firsthand, the positive progress students are able to make when they are introduced to instruction aligned with the Science of Reading from an early age.
 The Governor and First Lady were joined for the roundtable by Kara Wente, Director, Ohio Department of Children and Youth; Amy Joseph, Early Childhood Education Director, Fayette County Early Learning Center; Dr. Chris Briggs, Superintendent, Washington Court House City Schools; Craig Maddux, Principal, Cherry Hill Primary School; Megan Anderson, Assistant Principal, Cherry Hill Primary School; as well as other school and district leaders and teachers.
Cherry Hill Primary School continues to emphasize the Science of Reading for students of all ages. Earlier this year, Cherry Hill Primary was among the inaugural group of schools to earn the Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award.
Willowville Elementary School
The Governor and First Lady’s second visit of the day was to Willowville Elementary School in Union Township, near Batavia.
 Governor and First Lady DeWine's second school visit of the day was at Willowville Elementary School within West Clermont Local School District -- another recipient of the Governor's Science of Reading Champions Award. They were also joined by Rep. Jean Schmidt and Rep. Adam C. Bird.
Part of West Clermont Local School District, Willowville Elementary was an early adopter of the Science of Reading. With several years using this method under their belt, the school has seen dramatic progress – particularly among their older elementary students.
Since 2023, Willowville Elementary’s fourth grade English Language Arts proficiency has increased from 66.3% to 69.3%. In the same period of time, their fifth grade English Language Arts proficiency has increased from 66.7% to 80.5% – a jump of 13.8%.
 The Governor and First Lady were joined for this roundtable by Dr. David Fultz, Superintendent & CEO, West Clermont Local School District; Trish Hiler, Principal, Willowville Elementary School; as well as school and district leaders and teachers.
During Monday’s visit, Governor and First Lady DeWine participated in another roundtable discussion, joining West Clermont Superintendent Dr. David Fultz, Willowville Elementary Principal Trish Hiler, and several other school and district leaders to discuss their work implementing the Science of Reading and raising literacy achievement.
They were also joined by Rep. Jean Schmidt and Rep. Adam C. Bird from the Ohio House of Representatives.
Then, the Governor and First Lady visited a pair of classrooms, getting another look at literacy instruction in action.
Willowville Elementary School was also among the inaugural schools to earn the Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award in the spring.
 The Governor and First Lady visited a pair of classrooms; seeing 3rd-grade and kindergarten students putting the Science of Reading into practice.
About the Literacy Leaders Tour
The Governor’s Literacy Leaders Tour has also included recent visits to Putman Elementary School in Blanchester and Emerson Elementary School in Lakewood. The tour will continue with additional visits to K-12 schools and early childhood education sites in the future.
About the Science of Reading
Based on decades of brain research and literacy development, the Science of Reading is an approach to literacy instruction that focuses on teaching students how to sound out and understand words. Studies show the Science of Reading informs the most effective strategies for teaching students how to read.
Governor DeWine has long supported the implementation of the Science of Reading in all Ohio educational settings, including early childhood education, K-12 education, and higher education.
Science of Reading FAQs – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Additional Media Contacts
Ohio Department of Children and Youth
Jodi Norton Trimble, Chief Communications Officer
614-582-0827
[email protected]
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Lacey Snoke, Chief Communications Officer
614-995-1855
[email protected]
Chad Eberly, Deputy Chief of Communications
614-466-4839
[email protected]
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