Miami awarded $750,000 grant for Center of Excellence in Literacy, Advancement, Education, and Development
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced funding for Structured Literacy Centers at three Ohio Universities on June 30
Published
The Ohio Department of Higher Education awarded $750,000 in Third Frontier Research Incentive funding to support Miami University's Center of Excellence in Literacy, Education, Advancement, and Development.
Miami awarded $750,000 grant for Center of Excellence in Literacy, Advancement, Education, and Development
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced funding for Structured Literacy Centers at three Ohio Universities on June 30
Published
The Ohio Department of Higher Education awarded $750,000 in Third Frontier Research Incentive funding to support Miami University's Center of Excellence in Literacy, Education, Advancement, and Development (MU-LEAD).
The award is part of Ohio Governor and Miami ’69 alumnus Mike Dewine’s effort to bring the Science of Reading to classrooms all over the state. The funds are to be used through June 30, 2027.
“This award is a testament to the expertise and hard work of the MU-LEAD team,” said Amity Noltemeyer, dean of the College of Education, Health, and Society. “I can't wait to see the impact this will have on the community.”
MU-LEAD will focus on implementation of the Science of Reading and translating Structured Literacy pedagogy into actionable training and professional development for PreK-12 teachers. The announcement and award follow the college’s recent A+ grade for teacher preparedness and excellence in reading instruction from the National Council on Teacher Quality.
Sarah Watt, associate professor of Inclusive Education, is one of the project leads for the center’s development. She, along with Racheal Banda Rothrock, associate professor of Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Inquiry, was a principal investigator on MU-LEAD’s proposal.
“Our hope through this project is to empower teachers with access to tools, products, and professional development that can meet them where they are in their current implementation of SLP," Watt said. “The MU-LEAD team recognizes that each district, school, and classroom in Ohio face unique challenges when it comes to implementing these practices to support all learners.”
Ohio law requires public school districts to implement evidence-based literacy curricula and teacher training aligned with the Science of Reading for all public schools in Ohio, making Miami’s emphasis on teacher preparedness an important part of the College of Education, Health, and Society's programming. MU-LEAD will build on the college’s research and curriculum to support the development of current and future teachers.
“(MU’s) proposal demonstrates its aim to be a leader in structured literacy,” ODHE chancellor Mike Duffy stated in the award letter. “By advancing innovative methods and models, MU will play a pivotal role in shaping educational practices throughout the state and delivering impactful results for the state's educational landscape.”
"We know that the Science of Reading is the best method for teaching students how to read,” Gov. DeWine said in a press release announcing the funding. "By supporting Structured Literacy Centers at universities across the state, we will help our future and current teachers master the Science of Reading so they can help every Ohio child become a confident reader and reach their full potential.”
“While most Ohio teachers undergo more than 30 hours of training in Structured Literacy, application in the classroom is not always seamless,” Watt said. “The MU-LEAD center will work beside teachers to create resources and capacity that can strengthen their implementation and support this important work.”
This announcement follows Miami earning a perfect score on Ohio’s science of reading audit in December 2025.
The award is part of Ohio Governor and Miami ’69 alumnus Mike Dewine’s effort to bring the Science of Reading to classrooms all over the state. The funds are to be used through June 30, 2027.
“This award is a testament to the expertise and hard work of the MU-LEAD team,” said Amity Noltemeyer, dean of the College of Education, Health, and Society. “I can't wait to see the impact this will have on the community.”
MU-LEAD will focus on implementation of the Science of Reading and translating Structured Literacy pedagogy into actionable training and professional development for PreK-12 teachers. The announcement and award follow the college’s recent A+ grade for teacher preparedness and excellence in reading instruction from the National Council on Teacher Quality.
Sarah Watt, associate professor of Inclusive Education, is one of the project leads for the center’s development. She, along with Racheal Banda Rothrock, associate professor of Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Inquiry, was a principal investigator on MU-LEAD’s proposal.
“Our hope through this project is to empower teachers with access to tools, products, and professional development that can meet them where they are in their current implementation of SLP," Watt said. “The MU-LEAD team recognizes that each district, school, and classroom in Ohio face unique challenges when it comes to implementing these practices to support all learners.”
Ohio law requires public school districts to implement evidence-based literacy curricula and teacher training aligned with the Science of Reading for all public schools in Ohio, making Miami’s emphasis on teacher preparedness an important part of the College of Education, Health, and Society's programming. MU-LEAD will build on the college’s research and curriculum to support the development of current and future teachers.
“(MU’s) proposal demonstrates its aim to be a leader in structured literacy,” ODHE chancellor Mike Duffy stated in the award letter. “By advancing innovative methods and models, MU will play a pivotal role in shaping educational practices throughout the state and delivering impactful results for the state's educational landscape.”
"We know that the Science of Reading is the best method for teaching students how to read,” Gov. DeWine said in a press release announcing the funding. "By supporting Structured Literacy Centers at universities across the state, we will help our future and current teachers master the Science of Reading so they can help every Ohio child become a confident reader and reach their full potential.”
“While most Ohio teachers undergo more than 30 hours of training in Structured Literacy, application in the classroom is not always seamless,” Watt said. “The MU-LEAD center will work beside teachers to create resources and capacity that can strengthen their implementation and support this important work.”
This announcement follows Miami earning a perfect score on Ohio’s science of reading audit in December 2025.
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the College of Education, Health, and Society? Visit the website for more information.