Why It Matters
Ohio’s elementary students are struggling with foundational skills in reading and mathematics at rates that exceed the national average, according to newly released data. These deficits threaten long-term academic outcomes and workforce readiness across the state.
What Happened
The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its 37th annual Kids Count Data Book last month, documenting child well-being across the country. The data revealed significant gaps in academic proficiency across Ohio’s schools, particularly in early grades where foundational skills are critical.
In reading, 68% of Ohio fourth graders lack proficiency—a figure that exceeds the national rate of 70% of fourth graders. The state’s reading proficiency challenges have worsened by 4 percentage points since 2019. Similarly, 68% of Ohio eighth graders fall short of proficiency in mathematics, compared to 73% nationally, with math proficiency declining by 6 percentage points over the same period.
State officials have taken steps to address these declines. Governor Mike DeWine signed an academic interventions bill into law, and lawmakers incorporated a science of reading curriculum requirement into the 2023 state budget. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, Ohio school districts must teach the science of reading, which emphasizes five core components: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Early results from the mandate show modest movement. During the 2024-25 school year, 61.3% of third graders read at or above grade level, down from 64.5% the prior year—a decline that may reflect implementation adjustments or revised assessment standards.
By the Numbers
68% — Ohio fourth graders not proficient in reading
68% — Ohio eighth graders not proficient in math
4% — increase in Ohio reading proficiency decline since 2019
6% — increase in Ohio math proficiency decline since 2019
70% — U.S. fourth graders not proficient in reading
12% — Ohio high school students not graduating on time in 2023-24 (down from 18% in 2018-19)
Ohio’s Broader Child Well-Being Picture
Academic performance is one measure of child well-being tracked in the Kids Count report. Ohio ranked 27th nationally overall in child well-being, placing it in the middle tier of states. The state ranked 12th nationally in education outcomes, 26th in health, 27th in economic well-being, and 33rd in family and community factors.
Beyond academics, Ohio faces challenges in early childhood enrollment. Between 2020 and 2024, 59% of children ages 3-4 were not enrolled in school—above the national figure of 54%. The state does show improvement in some areas: child poverty declined from 18% in 2019 to 16% in 2024, though approximately 417,000 Ohio children still live below the poverty line. Additionally, the share of overweight or obese children ages 10-17 fell from 35% in 2018-19 to 31% in 2023-24, slightly above the national rate of 30%.
Zoom Out
Ohio’s reading and math proficiency gaps reflect a national trend. Across the United States, large majorities of early-grade students lack proficiency in foundational academic skills. The state’s approach—mandating science of reading instruction and academic intervention bills—mirrors strategies adopted by other states seeking to address early literacy challenges.
Ohio’s overall ranking of 27th in child well-being places it near the national average, though specific challenges in early childhood education, economic security for families, and academic proficiency suggest room for improvement relative to higher-ranking states.
What’s Next
School districts will continue implementing the science of reading curriculum mandate throughout the 2024-25 school year and beyond. State officials will monitor whether the mandate produces sustained gains in third-grade reading proficiency and whether improvements cascade to higher grades. The state’s academic intervention law remains in effect, and educators and policymakers will assess whether these measures narrow the reading and math proficiency gaps documented in the Kids Count report.
For families facing economic hardship, a related challenge remains: nearly 661,000 Ohio children have parents without secure employment, and approximately 632,000 live in households with high housing cost burdens—factors that research suggests correlate with academic achievement gaps.