Gov. Mike DeWine visits Youngstown State to highlight reading rates in Ohio

Gov. Mike DeWine visited Youngstown State University yesterday to discuss Ohio’s future in literacy and expanding access to learning reading as a whole.

At a roundtable discussion, Gov. DeWine was joined by Ohio Department of Education and Workforce director Steve Dackin and YSU president Bill Johnson.

“Our ReadOhio initiative will encompass all of our efforts to improve literacy skills of Ohioans of every age, from early childhood throughout adulthood because it’s never too early or too late to learn to read or enhance your skills,” said Gov. DeWine.

Local literacy leaders like Aimee Fifarek, director and CEO of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County also participated in the roundtable discussion.

“As one of the most important literacy leaders in our community, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is at the forefront of efforts to raise literacy rates throughout our county,” Fifarek said. “Raising literacy rates also helps prepare more young people and adults to be a part of the modern work force, so we are very pleased to join Governor DeWine in finding solutions to these difficult challenges ahead.”

During DeWine’s visit, participants discussed Ohio’s future in reading and watched clips from the film The Right to Read.

The Right to Read is a documentary about the importance of widespread literacy rights for everyone to succeed from multiple perspectives, including an NAACP activist.

“With 40% of Ohio third graders not proficient in reading, we need to seriously look at how we are teaching reading in the state because reading is fundamental to future success,” said DeWine.

The roundtable took place at 2 p.m. Monday in the McKay Auditorium of the Beeghly College of Education on campus.