Buckeye Reporter

On Aug. 18, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a significant boost in state-funded Early Childhood Education Grants, allocating $122 million to extend high-quality preschool education to 14,901 more low-income students while also underscoring the importance of program excellence and kindergarten readiness.

“The Early Childhood Education Grant demonstrates the state’s commitment to Ohio’s youngest learners,” Gov. DeWine said in an Aug. 18 press release. “Children participating in these programs are more likely to start kindergarten ready to learn.”

According to The Pike County News Watchman, the grant is available to public preschools, joint vocational schools, developmental disability boards, chartered nonpublic schools, private preschools, Head Start initiatives, child care centers, and family child care homes, according to the News Watchman. To qualify, applicants must have high ratings in the Step Up To Quality system, a tiered 1–5-star quality rating and improvement framework managed by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. This framework acknowledges and promotes learning and development programs that surpass preschool licensing standards, emphasizing quality beyond basic health and safety regulations.

According to the Ohio Department of Education, efforts to accelerate learning involve increasing effective learning opportunities for students. Ohio's approach includes investing in various programs to aid schools and educators. This includes providing resources to help districts select high-quality instructional materials, expanding professional development for literacy instruction, dedicating $89 million to support after-school and summer programs through nonprofits, and allocating $20 million for a tutoring program led by higher education students to assist K–12 students.

According to its website, The Ohio Department of Education comprises a dedicated team of education-focused professionals working toward the vision outlined in Ohio's strategic plan for education, "Each Child, Our Future." This vision envisions every Ohio student challenged to discover and learn, prepared for post-high school pursuits, and empowered as a lifelong learner contributing to society. Guided by the superintendent of public instruction and governed by the State Board of Education, the department collaborates with partners to continually improve schools and districts. Equitable impact is a cornerstone of their programs, services, and actions. The department's innovative and forward-looking approach is recognized both within Ohio and nationally.