NANKIN — Mapleton Local Schools has earned an academic championship.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin announced on March 12 that 109 Ohio schools have earned the Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award for 2026.

Among the awardees announced was Mapleton Elementary School.

The Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Awards recognize schools that stand out for their commitment to the Science of Reading and their work using this method to improve student engagement and literacy outcomes.

“We know that the Science of Reading is the best way to teach children how to read. When you see a teacher using the Science of Reading to the fullest in the classroom, it’s quite remarkable. For students, it’s fun, engaging, and effective,” DeWine said.

“Our Science of Reading Champions Awards allow us to recognize school leaders and teachers who are putting the Science of Reading to work to provide their students with the best educational experience possible. Reading is the key to everything – in school and throughout life,” the governor said.

“We’re proud of the work happening throughout the state to advance literacy achievement through the Science of Reading,” Dackin said. “These schools recognized as Science of Reading Champions are the result of a precise and dedicated focus from educators, school leaders, and families. We applaud this group of schools and are encouraged by their growth in literacy because it means more students are strengthening their reading skills.”

The full list of 2026 Science of Reading Champions can be found here.

Five school districts had at least four of their schools earn the 2026 Governor’s Science of Reading Champions Award, including Lakota Local Schools (6), Kettering City Schools (5), Medina City Schools (5), Upper Arlington City Schools (5) and Akron Public Schools (4).

The governor first announced the Science of Reading Champions Award in 2025 as part of his ongoing efforts to highlight the effectiveness of the Science of Reading as the best method for teaching Ohio students to read. The inaugural class of awardees included 48 schools. These schools will retain their designation as Science of Reading Champions following the announcement of this year’s new class of champions.

The Science of Reading is now the required literacy teaching method for all public schools in Ohio.

During his 2026 State of the State Address on March 10, DeWine announced several new strategies to strengthen the implementation of the Science of Reading in Ohio schools.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will create regional Science of Reading Instructional Implementation Teams to provide additional support to schools that need or request assistance using the Science of Reading to the fullest in their classrooms.

The department will also build upon its ReadOhio coaching program, adding 50 more state-level coaches, while expanding access to training and credentialing opportunities for district literacy coaches – helping to build a larger statewide pipeline of Science of Reading expertise.

About the Science of Reading

Based on decades of brain research and literacy development, the Science of Reading is an approach to literacy instruction that focuses on teaching students how to sound out and understand words. Studies show the Science of Reading informs the most effective strategies for teaching students how to read.

DeWine has long supported the implementation of the Science of Reading in all Ohio educational settings, including early childhood education, K-12 education and higher education.