UA Receives $5.4 Million to Improve Literacy

Akron, Ohio, Sept. 14, 2007 — The University of Akron has received a $5.4 million grant from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to develop e-Read Ohio, a system of online professional development courses to improve literacy instruction among Ohio's teachers.

The grant is for a two-year period beginning in 2008. It will be used to develop e-learning courses that will provide teachers throughout Ohio with knowledge and teaching strategies aligned with the state's English language arts standards.

“The scope of the work reflects the state's comprehensive plan to provide professional development to educators to ensure that all Ohio students are proficient readers,” says Lisa Lenhart, co-director of Reading First-Ohio Center, an e-Read Ohio affiliate based at the university. “Online professional development engages teachers in new and innovative ways, prepares them for greater success in the classroom and will yield long-term benefits. The ODE is investing in one of school districts' greatest resources — teachers.”

The e-learning courses will have online modules and supporting materials. A course may include multiple or single modules. In the school-based group study component, teachers will work together and use in-class applications; the online materials focus on individual learning.

Funded by grants from Reading First–Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education,

e-Read Ohio designs, develops and builds online professional development courses and resources for literacy educators and parents.

Lenhart, a UA associate professor of education, and LeAnn Kronsnick and Lori Vargo of the Reading First-Ohio Center wrote the proposal to the Office of Literacy for the e-Read Ohio program.

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