GOAL Digital Academy Expands Literacy Initiatives Through ReadOhio Partnership

GOAL Digital Academy is expanding its literacy initiatives for the 2026-2027 school year, building upon its partnership with Ohio's ReadOhio initiative to strengthen reading instruction, support educators and create a culture of literacy across the district. State-sponsored ReadOhio Coach Whitney Imhoff, provided to GOAL through a partnership with Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, works with the district five days a week. Her role brings literacy coaching directly to GOAL teachers through live lesson observations, one-on-one coaching, lesson modeling, co-teaching, data discussions and professional development.

During the 2025-2026 school year, the partnership helped GOAL strengthen evidence-based literacy practices, including explicit instruction, vocabulary development, content-area reading and writing strategies, and implementation of CommonLit 360, the district's adopted high-quality instructional material for English language arts. Imhoff said GOAL's digital model allows literacy coaching to become an ongoing part of instruction rather than an isolated professional development experience, with opportunities to collaborate virtually, visit labs and participate directly.

“I have seen consistency and confidence as teachers embrace strategies to try in their classrooms, across all content areas,” Imhoff said. “Through vocabulary building, we have seen students more willing to attend live lessons and participate, along with improvements in assignment completion, accuracy and grades.”

For Imhoff, one moment in particular demonstrated the impact of that work.

“The best experience for me was when students volunteered to read a passage during class, and I learned afterwards that one of the students had an IEP,” Imhoff said. “These teachers proved all students can learn to read.”

For 2026-2027, GOAL is building upon that foundation by expanding literacy leadership, intervention resources and opportunities for students to engage with reading.

GOAL has added a Literacy Specialist, Melinda Radabaugh, to provide targeted reading support for students performing below grade level. Through individualized and small-group instruction, Radabaugh provides research-based interventions designed to strengthen foundational reading skills and accelerate student growth. Her role also includes progress monitoring, goal setting and collaboration with teachers and families.

GOAL is also growing its own literacy leadership through Ohio's new ReadOhio Coaching Credential Program, announced by Governor Mike DeWine during the 2026 State of the State. Middle school teacher Carla Pasheilich is working toward her district-level credential and will dedicate two days each week to literacy coaching at GOAL, focusing on high-quality instructional materials in ELA and evidence-based strategies across grade levels and content areas. Imhoff will serve as Pasheilich's mentor throughout the credentialing process. Pasheilich is one of 14 central-region district coaches mentored by Imhoff, helping GOAL build internal literacy expertise as its initiatives continue to grow.

Together, GOAL’s expanding literacy team is strengthening both classroom instruction and targeted student intervention. The district is also introducing Magnetic Reading Foundations as an additional resource for students who need foundational reading support, while continuing to help educators incorporate evidence-based literacy strategies across subjects and grade levels.

One of GOAL's largest new literacy initiatives puts reading directly into the hands of every student. For 2026-2027, every GOAL student received a copy of The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies through a collaboration between the district's literacy and PBIS teams. Students received a pacing guide, while weekly prompts, activities and friendly competitions among GOAL's learning labs are designed to encourage reading, attendance and participation while creating a shared reading experience across the district.

“Putting a book in every student's hands gives us an opportunity to make literacy part of the entire GOAL community,” said Superintendent Tish Jenkins. “We want students to see reading as more than an assignment. We want them talking about books, making connections and discovering stories they want to continue reading on their own.”

Through ReadOhio coaching, expanded intervention resources, professional development and districtwide reading opportunities, GOAL is continuing to make literacy a shared priority for the 2026-2027 school year.