Following a comprehensive and rigorous review of all reading and literacy instruction curricula, the University of Mount Union’s School of Education achieved a perfect 100% compliance score with no mandatory recommendations on the Science of Reading audit led by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE).

The audit, required by House Bill 33, transpired over several months and reviewed all literacy course syllabi, materials, readings, textbooks, and assessments. During the Spring 2025 semester, auditors visited campus and observed literacy classes. All students in literacy courses were surveyed, and faculty were interviewed by auditors. 

“These findings reflect the most recent example of the outstanding dedication demonstrated by our faculty,” said Dr. Melissa Askren Edgehouse, director of the School of Education. “The audit process was rigorous, and this achievement is the result of the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, supervisors, and students.”

Askren Edgehouse noted that, in the previous year, she recommended comprehensive Science of Reading training for all faculty and staff, a proposal that received immediate and unanimous support. All faculty and staff members—including part-time adjuncts and supervisors—completed the training. Some participated in workshops led by Dr. Chanda Coblentz, associate professor of education and the School of Education’s literacy expert, while others completed Science of Reading modules developed by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), which range from seven to 22 hours in length. Additionally, all students in the School of Education now complete at least one of the modules developed by DEW, typically during their junior year.

 “I was deeply impressed by the willingness of our faculty to engage in this important training, including those who do not teach literacy courses, and I am proud that 100% of our faculty, staff, supervisors, and students have completed Science of Reading training, and faculty have already integrated facets of what they learned into their courses,” said Askren Edgehouse.

“Since arriving at UMU, I have worked to revise our literacy coursework to ensure full alignment with Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement,” said Coblentz, a key contributor to the audit. “My colleagues in the School of Education have been fully supportive of these efforts. They not only supported the implementation of new standards and revised literacy practices but also engaged in professional learning related to the science of reading and made thoughtful adjustments within their own education courses. I am eager to continue leading our faculty and candidates in evidence-aligned literacy initiatives.”

“Dr. Coblentz’s leadership was instrumental in this achievement,” said Askren Edgehouse. “Her scholarship, dedication, and unwavering commitment to literacy and high-quality literacy instruction have had a profound impact on our programs. We are deeply grateful for her research and expertise.”

The audit identified three commendations for the School of Education, all attributable to Coblentz’s dedicated efforts, including:
 

1. 1. Classroom instruction is strongly grounded in research.
   2. Courses within the 12-Hour Reading and Literacy Core integrate each audit metric, ensuring that preservice candidates receive instruction grounded in evidence-based literacy instruction.
   3. Preservice candidates receive instruction and guided practice using validated screening, progress-monitoring, and diagnostic assessments that can reliably inform their instructional decision-making.
       

This isn’t the first time Mount Union’s Educator Preparation Program has been recognized this year. In September, the School of Education was presented the prestigious Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and in January 2025, it earned the U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of the #1 Online M.Ed. Program in Ohio and the #1 Private Online M.Ed. Program in the nation.

Learn more about Mount Union’s established and awarded School of Education at mountunion.edu/school-of-education.