University of Akron Receives $1 Million to Expand Literacy Training Center

The University of Akron will receive $1 million to expand its Center for Structured Literacy and provide more training for current and future Ohio teachers.

Governor Mike DeWine announced a total of $2.5 million for literacy centers at the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University and Miami University. Bowling Green and Miami will each receive $750,000.

The centers train educators in the Science of Reading, an approach that focuses on how children learn skills such as recognizing letters and sounds, building vocabulary, reading fluently and understanding what they read.

Teachers also receive training on identifying signs of dyslexia and providing students with the appropriate instruction and support.

The University of Akron’s center opened in 2024 and works to turn scientific reading research into practical tools for educators. The new funding will help the university expand professional development and training opportunities for both future teachers and those already working in Ohio schools.

Bowling Green will focus part of its work on literacy instruction for students in grades four through eight. Miami University will develop Science of Reading training materials for school districts and teacher preparation programs.

The Science of Reading is now the required literacy teaching method in Ohio public schools.