教育学院 has fully implemented science of reading into curriculum
亚什兰, 俄亥俄州 – Ashland University has fully implemented science of reading standards— research-based literacy instruction—in its Dwight Schar 教育学院 curriculum to align with the expectations of state lawmakers as well as the many school districts it works with.
丽莎·弗农-多森博士.D. (pictured third from left), dean of the Dwight Schar 教育学院, has headed the effort to update the content in AU’s education courses and was among a small group of leaders who testified in front of the 俄亥俄州 House Higher Education Committee in late May. Lawmakers wanted to hear from colleges and universities that were aligned with the new state literacy policy ahead of the January 2025 deadline.
“(AU’s) new curriculum does not address any content that is contrary to research-based practices,弗农-多森作证说. “Our programs focus on multi-tiered instruction, 结构化的知识, data for effective instruction, language comprehension and rigorous texts for all. We focus on building our teacher candidates’ knowledge and skills in teaching phonics, 音素意识, 词汇表, 流利性和理解力.”
Vernon-Dotson, who was a member of the Reading First Teacher Education Network (an initiative by the U.S. Department of Education from 2003-05), noted that “initiating these changes has not been an easy endeavor, but it has been a worthwhile one.”
The science of reading is based on decades of research with a goal of developing best practices for literary curriculum and instruction and to ensure consistency. That research has resulted in improved methods of teaching elementary students to read effectively, such as greater emphasis on phonics, 发音, reading for comprehension and understanding what words mean.
When Vernon-Dotson began her role as dean in 2022, she visited some of the 80-100 schools where AU students are placed for clinical experiences and met with teachers, principals and superintendents. It became clear to her that AU students needed a stronger background in the science of reading.
“It’s our responsibility to ensure that every P-12 learner has access to highly effective teachers and a well-sequenced curriculum that meets their learning needs,弗农-多森解释道. “(We’ve been) making sure that our students, the future teachers of these P-12 learners, are prepared and ready to teach on the first day of their teaching profession.”
A taskforce on campus was formed which critically examined the literacy curriculum against the tenets of the science of reading, 并最终, the curriculum was redesigned. The new curriculum was adopted, approved and implemented starting with the 2024 fall semester, and both full-time faculty and adjunct instructors within the 教育学院 have received training in the implementation of science of reading.
“To ensure consistency across the science of reading curriculum, all courses have been developed with a shared syllabus, 活动, assessments and resources housed in a master shell of our learning management system,弗农-多森解释道 to the house committee. “Our assessments are aligned to the 2023 俄亥俄州 Reading and Literacy Standards and the 190 Foundations of Reading 俄亥俄州 Assessments for Educators.”
The bottom line for Vernon-Dotson and AU’s highly-regarded 教育学院 is that by implementing science of reading standards, its teacher candidates will be better prepared and ready to thrive in their careers.
“You become a really good education program by making sure that the students are prepared to enter the classroom, and then you remain there by continuing to update what you’re doing so that they’re still prepared to be there, and that’s what we needed to do,弗农-多森说.
Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, 克利夫兰和哥伦布, 俄亥俄州. 亚什兰大学(www.亚什兰.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.