Reading and Writing Research and Practice
Responding to both new state policy and the pressing needs of Ohio’s schools, the Reading and Writing Research and Practice initiative positions Ohio State and the College of Education and Human Ecology as nationally recognized leaders in evidence-informed practices supporting reading and writing. At its core, the initiative aims to achieve excellence in research and practice related to science of reading and writing. Particular focus is on the applied science of teaching reading and writing. This includes attention to evidence-based practices, teacher education and implementation.
This initiative is unique to institutions of higher education in Ohio, with its dual emphases on research and practice; inclusion of writing alongside reading (Graham, 2020; Piasta, 2026); attention to supporting university students at all levels and commitment to translational science.
By foregrounding the science of teaching reading and writing, this initiative:
- Addresses a widely acknowledged gap in the field — of research and practice for teaching reading and writing — as well as a gap in the current offerings from Ohio institutions of higher education
- Aligns with Ohio State research-intensive and land-grant statuses
- Advances the missions of Ohio State, the college and the departments of Teaching and Learning and Educational Studies
- Aligns with Ohio State’s AI fluency initiative by preparing future educators to understand how to leverage and ethically apply artificial intelligence in literacy teaching and learning
- Can help to increase Ohio State pass rates on the Ohio Assessments for Educators Foundations of Reading exam
Building on nationally recognized expertise
Connections to other college programs ensure that the initiative is grounded in research, responsive to the needs of all learners and aligned across the P-8 grade span. At the same time, it maintains a clear anchor in teacher preparation, research and professional learning. Other relevant areas of expertise include:
- Early childhood education
- High-quality, culturally relevant children’s literature
- Language development and pedagogy
- Literacy and learning differences
- Workforce development and professional learning across the college’s relevant centers and programs, including:
The science of reading: The accumulated, interdisciplinary body of knowledge from psychological, educational and related research about the reading process and its components, reading development and difficulties, and best practices for reading instruction and assessment. Scholars from various backgrounds such as education, psychology, speech-language science and other fields make significant contributions to both the basic science of reading and the applied science of teaching reading.
Adapted from Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology
Reading and Writing Research and Practice duration
The initial start-up phase: 3.5 years, from January 2026 - July 2028
Building and sustainability phase: August 2028 - forward
Initiative positions Ohio State to lead science of teaching reading
The science of reading helps students learn, especially those who struggle. But this body of knowledge only works if well implemented in classrooms.
Two new faculty hires
The college will hire faculty with expertise who are committed to research-practice translation and have high potential for securing external grants and research contracts.
In addition to engaging in research, these new faculty will supervise teacher education literacy courses, teach pre-service and in-service teachers within the Department of Teaching and Learning, engage with local school districts to enhance professional learning and collaborate with colleagues across the college on initiative activities.
Tenure-Track Associate or Professor position
Assistant Clinical Professor position
Ohio State faculty involved in Reading and Writing Research and Practice initiative:
Are committed to evidence-informed practice as well as school and community engagement/research into practice translation.
Conduct research related to the science of teaching reading and writing.
Engage in teacher education curriculum development, supervise teacher education literacy course and teach pre-service and in-service teachers.
Broadly disseminate science of reading and writing research to scholars, Ohio districts, schools, state partners and education organizations.
Participate as collaborators and leaders at local, state, national and international levels.
Grants and funding
Internal funds will launch Reading and Writing Research and Practice, building momentum for federal, foundation and corporate funding to sustain the initiative and the important research it provides.
- $1 million Ohio State University funds
- $1.2 million College of Education and Human Ecology funds
More grants expected
Faculty will conduct and share initiative-relevant research related to the science of teaching reading and writing. The initiative supports these efforts via:
- Reading and writing teaching practices and their implementation
- Teacher education
- In-service professional learning
- Research into practice translation
- At local, national, international conferences and meetings
- To disseminate initiative-relevant research
- Engage in ongoing learning about the science of teaching reading and writing
Building a preservice program to be the best
The Reading and Writing Research and Practice initiative will support implementation of high-quality, consistent teaching education in literacy and reading courses across Ohio State campuses.
Programmatic changes will enhance teacher preparation by providing strong foundations in the science of reading and emphasizing reading and writing instructional practices supported by the most advanced, up-to-date science. The initiative will explore opportunities for new courses, certificates, professional development and other programming to serve teacher educators and students pursuing other careers related to literacy learning.
A unique, college-wide undergraduate research assistant program will be launched. Preservice teaching students can supplement their learning with hands-on research experience, deepening their understanding of evidence-informed practices that they can use in their future classrooms.
Together, these steps will help improve first-time pass rates on the Ohio Assessments for Educators exam on the Foundations of Reading exam.