Ohio Governor Mike DeWine delivered his 2026 State of the State Address on March 13, 2026, to a joint session of the Ohio General Assembly. In the address, he outlined key accomplishments from his administration while emphasizing priorities for his final year in office.
DeWine focused on the importance of reading, announcing that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, championed by First Lady Fran DeWine, has reached significant participation levels. Currently, approximately 70 percent of households with children under five in Ohio are enrolled, making it the state with the highest enrollment in the nation. He stressed the effectiveness of the Science of Reading approach, which is now mandated for teaching in all classrooms from preschool through high school. The governor reported improvements in kindergarten readiness, with an increase of 8.3 percent, representing an additional 7,300 children prepared for school.
To further support reading initiatives, DeWine announced the formation of regional Science of Reading Instructional Implementation Teams. These teams, composed of trained experts, will assist K-12 schools in effectively implementing the Science of Reading methodology. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) plans to add 50 more ReadOhio coaches by fall 2026, expanding the program’s reach to at least 70 additional schools. Currently, there are 97 coaches working with 151 schools.
In addressing children’s vision issues, Governor DeWine highlighted the launch of the OhioSEE program, which provides glasses to children in kindergarten through third grade across 15 counties with the highest needs. He urged school leaders in these counties to participate in the initiative.
Attendance issues were also a significant topic in DeWine’s address. He noted that one in four Ohio schoolchildren was chronically absent last year, missing nearly a month of school. To combat this, the recent state budget mandates that all school districts develop clear attendance policies by fall 2026. Additionally, a new Statewide Attendance Dashboard will be launched on April 15, providing real-time attendance data to parents and the public.
The governor emphasized the importance of physical health alongside academic performance, advocating for increased recess time in schools. DeWine expressed support for legislation that would double the recess time for students from 30 minutes to 60 minutes per day. He also encouraged the Ohio General Assembly to make the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, which promotes healthy habits among students, a permanent fixture in schools.
Addressing mental health concerns, DeWine reiterated the need for policies surrounding technology use among children. He announced a ban on cell phones in K-12 schools and called for legislative measures to combat the influence of artificial intelligence on child safety. These measures include prohibiting the creation and distribution of child pornography generated by AI and requiring tech companies to implement parental controls automatically.
Governor DeWine also advocated for a primary seatbelt law, aiming to improve roadway safety in Ohio. He noted that 88 percent of residents currently wear seatbelts, yet the 12 percent who do not account for over 60 percent of traffic fatalities. The proposed law would empower law enforcement to pull over vehicles where passengers are not buckled up.
Through this address, Governor DeWine articulated a comprehensive vision for the remainder of his governorship, emphasizing education, health, and safety as core pillars for Ohio’s future.
