An initiative that has become near and dear to Gov. Mike DeWine may be among the most important things he has pushed for the benefit of all Ohioans. The Governor’s Children’s Initiative will develop a program to recognize schools demonstrating strong implementation of the best instructional practices aligned to the Science of Reading and where students are making significant progress in reading.

“We want every child in the state to live up to their God-given potential,” DeWine said. “And for that to happen, they have to learn to read.”

During a visit to Washington Elementary School in Marietta, DeWine talked about the importance of knowing every student graduating high school is on a pathway.

“The only way they’re going to be on that pathway is if they can read,” he said. “If they can’t read, they’re not going to live up to their full potential and Ohio is not going to be as great a state as it could be.”

He’s not alone in this cause, of course. First lady Fran DeWine has for years spearheaded the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Ohio, which provides free books to children under age 5. She reports 51 percent of Ohio children under age 5 are now signed up.

“And then when they start kindergarten they’re introduced to the Science of Reading,” Fran DeWine said.

According to one of the companies that helps schools implement the program, “Science-based reading instruction reduces the need for intervention, and allows children to move forward as capable, confident learners … (and) science-based reading instruction is a matter of equity.”

Amplify describes the program as one that has been “proven by extensive research to effectively teach children how to read.”

With the hope that this is the case, rather than yet another reading education fad — and Gov. DeWine claims teachers are seeing results and becoming the program’s most fervent supporters — the executive branch’s determination to see every Ohio child become a good reader with the tools to learn and succeed is wonderful.

If the initiative yields the intended results, it will do more good for Ohio’s future than we could imagine. What an inspiring possibility.