Rep. Sweeney Announces $6.4M to Expand Literacy Coaching to 70 More Ohio Schools Next Year

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) today announced that the Ohio Controlling Board approved $6.4M in state funding to support 50 new ReadOhio literacy coaches for the 2026-2027 school year, allowing the program to serve an additional 70 schools across Ohio and expand early reading support for students at a critical stage of their education.

Research shows students who read proficiently by third grade are significantly more likely to graduate high school and succeed academically, making early literacy programs one of the most effective policy levers available to improve long-term learning outcomes.

ReadOhio, a statewide initiative launched in 2023 to encourage reading, supported 97 literacy coaches working with teachers in 151 schools across Ohio during the 2025–2026 school year. This additional funding approved by the Controlling Board today will further expand the program into more communities that need targeted reading support.

“These funds were nearly cut in the last operating budget to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest in the state, at a time when schools across Ohio are already struggling with literacy outcomes,” said Rep. Sweeney. “In the 2024–2025 school year, just 5.4% of districts earned the top, 5-star rating for early literacy, and only 16.6% earned four stars. Reading is the foundation for all future learning, so while expanding access to more literacy coaches is a good first step, it can’t be the last.”

Despite this targeted investment, long-term support for the broader public education funding system remains uncertain. After the legislature failed to fully fund the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan in the last state operating budget, the state’s share of school funding is projected to drop to just 32% in FY 2027, shifting more and more of the cost of education onto local property taxpayers instead. Any progress driven by literacy investments like this will be difficult to maintain over time without sustained state support.

“This is a step in the right direction, but one-time investments won’t solve a long-term funding problem,” continued Rep. Sweeney. “If we want real, lasting progress, schools need consistent, reliable support from the state. That means fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan.”

Other approved items include:

• $40M to support the utility assistance program, Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus); and
• $17M in federal funds to support Ohio counties administering the Ohio Adoption Program.