New Professional Development Requirements in Science of Reading

House Bill 33 establishes new professional development requirements in the science of reading. Under H.B 33, districts and schools must require all teachers and administrators to complete the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s science of reading professional development course by June 30, 2025. Any teacher who has previously completed similar training, as determined by the Department, is not required to complete the course.

Under Ohio law, employers must pay a stipend to each teacher who completes the Department’s professional development course as follows:

• $1,200 stipend for each of the following:
  • A teacher of grades kindergarten through 5.
  • An English language arts teacher of grades 6 through 12.
  • An intervention specialist, English learner teacher, reading specialist or instructional coach who serves grades prekindergarten through 12.
• $400 stipend to each teacher who teaches a subject area other than English language arts in grades 6 through 12.

Member and employer contributions must be submitted to STRS Ohio for all stipend amounts paid to teachers.

Employers are responsible for developing ways to verify teachers’ course completion for the purposes of stipend reimbursement. They are also responsible for paying the stipend to teachers who complete the course. Employers may apply to the Department for reimbursement of the cost of stipends. The Department will not pay stipends directly to teachers.

Further guidance on professional development requirements under H.B. 33 can be found in this guidebook issued by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. You can also visit the Department’s website for more information.