Ohio’s educator preparation programs have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of teaching and learning across the state.
Through a new partnership between the Ohio Deans Compact and the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, nine Ohio institutions of higher education have been awarded incentive mini-grants to strengthen the integration of Ohio’s Integrated Multi-Tiered System of Supports (IMTSS) framework within literacy and reading educator preparation programs.
This work goes beyond updating coursework. It represents a strategic investment in preparing future educators to enter Ohio classrooms with a deeper understanding of how integrated systems of academic and non-academic supports (e.g., behavioral supports, wellness supports) work together to improve outcomes for every learner.
Grant recipients will build expertise in the intent and essential components of Ohio’s Integrated MTSS framework, evaluate the alignment of their current educator preparation programs, and develop plans to intentionally embed Integrated MTSS concepts throughout their literacy and reading curriculum—replacing previous conceptions of MTSS with Ohio’s integrated approach.
Equally important, each institution has committed to collaborating with district and school partners, the Ohio Deans Compact, and representatives from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce throughout implementation. These partnerships will help ensure that educator preparation remains closely connected to the needs of Ohio schools and the realities of today’s classrooms.
Congratulations to the 2026 Integrated MTSS Incentive Grant recipients: Ashland University, Baldwin Wallace University, Cleveland State University, Hiram College, Miami University, Mount St. Joseph University, Shawnee State University, University of Cincinnati, and University of Findlay.
Together, these institutions are helping build a stronger educator pipeline and preparing Ohio’s next generation of teachers to lead with collaboration, data-informed decision making, and integrated systems of support that accelerate learning and student success statewide.