WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine made a stop to Warren G. Harding High school Friday to discuss the Read Ohio Initiative, a statewide effort to improve literacy skills at all levels.

“One of the things we talk a lot about is that we want every Ohioan to live up to their god given potential and reading is an absolute essential part of that,” said Governor DeWine.

Teachers and staff gathered at Warren G. Harding High school to discuss the new reading program. Read Ohio is focused on the science of reading and based off Research that’s been conducted for decades by literacy experts.

“Read Ohio encompasses all our efforts to improve the literacy skills of Ohioans of all ages from early childhood thru adulthood,” said Gov. DeWine.

Governor DeWine says 40% of Ohio third graders are not proficient in reading and we need to seriously look at how we are teaching reading in the state.

Governor DeWine stressed the value in giving students the skills to become proficient readers, like teaching phonics how the sounds of words come together to create meaning.

First Lady and Governor DeWine walked through a few preschool classrooms to see how teachers are implementing these practices already.

Warren schools currently serve over 4,500 students from preschool to graduation.

Governor DeWine says 40% of Ohio third graders are not proficient in reading and we need to seriously look at how we are teaching reading in the state.

This is the 13th school Gov DeWine has visited this spring in Ohio.

Teachers sat through a video that showed how the science of reading program works and the role teachers play.

“It was not about poverty it was not about students home life it was about what we could do what is it our control in this building, what practices can we put in place to make sure that are kids are literate and that they can read,” said Deborah Howard, the Fulton Elementary principal.

Through the budget signed last month, the governor received the backing of the General Assembly to secure funding to help advance literacy practices throughout the state, including helping with the costs of quality materials and support services.