August 3, 2026
Mrs. McBath (for herself, Mrs. Houchin, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Kiley of California, Mr. Harder of California, and Mr. Owens) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To strengthen literacy outcomes for all students, to amend the comprehensive literacy State development grant program, and to ensure Federal accountability and investment in research, teacher preparation, and evidence-based instruction aligned with the science of reading.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development Act
or the READ Act
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
(a) Definitions
Section 2221(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6641(b)) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (5);
(2)
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
(3) Eligible low-performing state
The term eligible low-performing State means a State that, for the 2 most recent consecutive assessment cycles, ranks within the lowest quintile based on the percentage of students performing at or above the
basicachievement level in 4th grade reading, as measured under the National Assessment of Educational Progress carried out under section 303(b)(2) of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act.(4) High-impact tutoring
The term high-impact tutoring means a form of teaching that—
(A)
is conducted 1-on-1 or in small groups;
(B)
is intended to complement core classroom instruction; and
(C)
includes—
(i)
substantial time each week engaged in tutoring with trained personnel;
(ii)
a sustained and strong relationship between the student and tutor;
(iii)
progress monitoring of student knowledge and skills attainment;
(iv)
an alignment with core classroom instruction; and
(v)
supportive coaching for the tutor to ensure quality interactions.; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(6) Science of reading
The term science of reading means an interdisciplinary body of research from cognitive science, neuroscience, and education regarding the development of reading and writing proficiency, including research that—
(A)
demonstrates the explicit, systematic use of the essential components of phonemic awareness, phonic decoding, fluency, language structure, oral language, vocabulary, background knowledge, and literacy knowledge, which together lead to strong comprehension; and
(B)
recognizes the connection of reading and writing and the importance of strong writing instruction.
(7) Universal early literacy screening
The term universal early literacy screening means the systematic and periodic evidence-based assessment of all students’ foundational reading skills, including phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, as developmentally appropriate, to identify those at risk for reading difficulties and to provide timely, evidence-based interventions.
(b) Amendment to comprehensive literacy instruction definition
Section 2221(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6641(b)(1)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (K), by striking and
after the semicolon;
(2)
in subparagraph (L), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(M)
excludes three-cueing models or related instructional approaches that primarily—
(i)
use meaning drawn from context, pictures, or syntax as the primary basis for teaching word recognition (commonly referred to as
meaning, structure and syntax, and visual cuesorMSV); or(ii)
teach visual memory as the primary basis for word recognition; and
(N)
uses effective language instruction to support literacy and oral language development, particularly for English learners and children with disabilities.
Sec. 3. Reauthorization of the comprehensive literacy State development grants program
Section 2222 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6642) is amended—
(1)
by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
(a) Grants authorized
From the amounts reserved by the Secretary under section 2201(2) and not reserved under subsection (b), the Secretary shall—
(1)
award grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies to enable the State educational agencies to—
(A)
provide subgrants to eligible entities serving a diversity of geographic areas, giving priority to entities serving greater numbers or percentages of children from low-income families;
(B)
develop or enhance comprehensive literacy instruction plans that ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing for children from early childhood education through grade 12, including English learners and children with disabilities; and
(C)
implement statewide policies and systems of support to assist local educational agencies and teacher preparation programs in improving literacy instruction and outcomes; and
(2)
award grants to all eligible low-performing States that submit applications, pursuant to the absolute priority provided under subsection (e)(2).;
(2)
by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
(b) Reservation
From the amounts reserved to carry out this subpart for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve—
(1)
not more than a total of 5 percent for national activities, which—
(A)
shall include an evaluation—
(i)
that meets the requirements of section 2225; and
(ii)
that may not be canceled or deferred, unless the entity contracted by the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences to conduct the evaluation violates the terms of the contract, has been given written justification for the contract’s termination, and has been provided an opportunity to appeal the termination within 30 days of receiving the notice of termination; and
(B)
shall include technical assistance, training, data collection, and reporting, which may include support for the regional educational laboratories (described in section 174 of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002) and comprehensive centers (established pursuant to section 203 of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002) to support literacy research and technical assistance;
(2)
sufficient funds to provide grant awards to all eligible low-performing States, pursuant to the absolute priority provided under subsection (e)(2);
(3)
one half of 1 percent for the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a program described in this subpart at schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education; and
(4)
one half of 1 percent for the outlying areas to carry out a program under this subpart.;
(3)
in subsection (c), by striking 5 years
and inserting 4 years
;
(4)
in subsection (d)(2)—
(A)
by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
(B)
A description of how the State educational agency, in collaboration with the State literacy team, if applicable, will develop a State comprehensive literacy instruction plan or will revise and update an already existing State comprehensive literacy instruction plan, including how the State will—
(i)
implement universal early literacy screenings and intervention services for students at-risk of falling behind in becoming proficient in reading by third grade, which may include high-impact tutoring and summer learning programs;
(ii)
increase access for educators to high-quality instructional materials aligned with the science of reading;
(iii)
deliver professional development and instructional coaching for educators, with the input of educators, in high-needs schools with the lowest literacy outcomes;
(iv)
evaluate teacher preparation programs to assess alignment with the science of reading; and
(v)
meaningfully engage educators from across the State to provide early and ongoing input on how to effectively support educators in improving instructional practice and educational outcomes.; and
(B)
by striking subparagraphs (D) and (E) and inserting the following:
(D)
A description of how the State educational agency will use implementation grant funds described in subsection (f)(1) for comprehensive literacy instruction programs as follows:
(i)
Not less than 15 percent of such grant funds shall be used for State and local programs and activities pertaining to children from birth through kindergarten entry.
(ii)
Not less than 40 percent of such grant funds shall be used for State and local programs and activities, allocated equitably among the grades of kindergarten through grade 5.
(iii)
Not less than 40 percent of such grant funds shall be used for State and local programs and activities, allocated equitably among grades 6 through 12.
(E)
An assurance that the State educational agency will collaborate with the State agency responsible for administering early childhood education programs and the State agency responsible for administering child care programs in the State in improving early literacy opportunities for children and early childhood educators.
(F)
An assurance that the State educational agency will require each local educational agency in the State to provide sufficient and timely notification to a parent of a student served by such local educational agency who is identified as at risk of reading difficulties or performing below grade level in reading. Such notification shall—
(i)
include the results of the assessment or screening;
(ii)
include the strategies that will be provided to the student to help reach proficiency in grade-level literacy standards;
(iii)
include strategies to parents to support learning at home; and
(iv)
be provided in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language the parents can understand.;
(5)
by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
(e) Priority
(1) Competitive priority
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give competitive priority—
(A)
to State educational agencies that will use the grant funds for evidence-based activities, defined for the purpose of this subsection as activities meeting the requirements of section 8101(21), except that subclause (III) of subparagraph (A)(i) of such section shall not apply;
(B)
to States that demonstrate, based on the needs assessment described in subsection (d)(2)(A), that the State has not yet implemented, on a statewide basis, a comprehensive approach to the required activities described in subsection (f)(1)(A); and
(C)
to States that experienced a significant decline in biennial State academic assessment outcomes of 4th and 8th grade reading under the National Assessment of Educational Progress carried out under section 303(b)(3) of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization.
(2) Absolute priority
(A) In general
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give absolute priority to eligible low-performing States that satisfy the application requirements described in subsection (d).
(B) Identification of eligible low-performing states
Before announcing a grant competition under this section, the Secretary shall identify and notify any State that qualifies as an eligible low-performing State.
(C) Clarification on meeting same requirements
An eligible low-performing State that receives a grant under this section shall meet the same requirements as a State awarded a grant under this section on a competitive basis.;
(6)
by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
(f) State activities
(1) In general
(A) State uses of funds
Each State that receives a grant under this section shall use grant funds not allocated under paragraph (2) to carry out each of the following:
(i)
Ensure pre-service training and in-service training are aligned between them and with the science of reading and designed, in collaboration with teachers and institutions of higher education, to support teachers in understanding the evidence base on how students learn to read and in using evidence-based instructional materials and practices in their classrooms, which may include—
(I)
creating statewide and regional literacy coaching networks;
(II)
evaluating teacher preparation programs to strengthen coursework and training in the science of reading;
(III)
evaluating State licensure or certification standards to reflect the science of reading; and
(IV)
providing pre-service and in-service training for educators on evidence-based screening, assessment, and progress monitoring and instruction for students with or at risk of dyslexia or other reading difficulties.
(ii)
Implement evidence-based interventions aligned with the science of reading and designed to prepare students for success with grade-level work in their core classes, which may include high-impact tutoring and summer learning programs.
(iii)
Provide universal early literacy screening at least once before the third grade, with more regular literacy screenings encouraged as a tool to help identify reading difficulties or dyslexia early, and ensure support is provided to struggling readers.
(iv)
Develop, incentivize, and support the adoption and implementation of recommended high-quality instructional materials aligned with the science of reading.
(v)
Convene and solicit input from educators as collaborative, expert partners to advise on improving pre-service training, in-service training, and identify other supports that they may need to successfully implement the science of reading in classrooms.
(vi)
Develop policies and procedures, including a parental notification template or other materials for optional use by local educational agencies, to support such local educational agencies in providing sufficient and timely notification, as required under subsection (d)(2)(F), to a parent of a student who is identified as at risk of reading difficulties or performing below grade level in reading.
(2) Subgrants
Each State that receives a grant under this section shall allocate not less than 75 percent of the grant funds to award subgrants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out activities to improve literacy, such as—
(A)
strengthening literacy instruction aligned to the science of reading in early childhood education programs or elementary schools and secondary schools, including through in-service training for educators;
(B)
employing and training literacy instructional coaches and interventionists;
(C)
purchasing and adopting high-quality instructional materials aligned with the science of reading;
(D)
conducting universal early literacy screenings to help identify reading difficulties or dyslexia early;
(E)
providing direct services to students, which may include high-impact tutoring and summer learning programs, designed to help students reach proficiency in grade-level literacy standards;
(F)
supporting a child’s learning at home through family literacy services and parents and family engagement initiatives that provide parents with actionable strategies aligned with the science of reading;
(G)
supporting evidence-based bilingual literacy instruction, including biliteracy development aligned with the science of reading;
(H)
convening and soliciting early and ongoing input from educators as collaborative, expert partners to advise on improving in-service training and identify other supports that they may need to successfully implement the science of reading in classrooms; and
(I)
supporting principals and other school leaders to have the necessary understanding of the science of reading to coordinate schoolwide activities and leverage the expertise of teachers, literacy instructional coaches and interventionists, paraprofessionals, school librarians, special education teachers, and other appropriate school-based staff in serving students.
(3) Teacher preparation requirements
(A) Alignment with the science of reading
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each State that receives a grant under this section shall complete and publish, not later than 3 years after the date of receipt of the grant funds, a review of all teacher preparation programs in the State to assess alignment with the science of reading and make recommendations to programs, as appropriate, for better aligning course offerings to the science of reading.
(B) Exemption
A State that demonstrates that a review described in subparagraph (A) has recently and similarly been completed and published by the State is not required to use grant funds received under this section to complete and publish an additional review.
(g) Reporting Requirements
(1) Annual report
Each State that receives a grant under this section shall submit a public report to the Secretary on an annual basis and publish such report in a clear and easily accessible format on the website of the State. Such report shall contain, at a minimum and at the statewide and local educational agency level (in accordance with paragraph (3)) the following information:
(A)
The number and percent of students receiving screenings and interventions for reading difficulties, disaggregated by grade level and disaggregated by each of the subgroups of students, as defined in section 1111(c)(2).
(B)
The number and percent of pre-service and in-service teachers receiving professional development and coaching related to the science of reading.
(C)
The number of local educational agencies using high-quality instructional materials aligned with the science of reading as recommended by the State.
(2) Secretary’s report
(A) In general
Not later than 1 year after receiving the reports described in paragraph (1), and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives that includes a summary of the reports submitted by States.
(B) Public availability
The Secretary shall make the reports described in subparagraph (A) publicly available in a clear and easily accessible format on the website of the Department of Education.
(3) Data privacy
(A) Personally identifiable data limitation
A State shall not include any personally identifiable information in a report submitted under paragraph (1).
(B) Disaggregation of data
Disaggregation of data shall not be required under this subsection when the number is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual.
(h) Supplement not supplant
Funds made available to a State through a grant awarded under this section shall be used only to supplement and not supplant, any State, local, or non-Federal funds that would otherwise be used to carry out literacy instruction, teacher preparation, or interventions.
Sec. 4. General provisions
(a) Applicability
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to funds awarded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 note et seq.) on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Secretarial prohibition
Section 2302 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6692) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(c) Limitations on secretarial authority
In carrying out subpart 2 of part B of this title, the Secretary shall not issue any regulation—
(1)
regarding the definition of the science of reading and comprehensive literacy instruction; or
(2)
that would directly or indirectly mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school’s specific instructional content, academic standards and assessments, curricula, or program of instruction.
(c) Rules of construction
Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to—
(1)
limit or alter the rights, protections, and individualized educational requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); or
(2)
authorize any officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school’s specific instructional content, academic standards and assessments, curricula, or program of instruction.
Sec. 5. Research and development
Section 2225 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6645) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(c) Research and development
The Director of the Institute of Education Sciences shall—
(1)
sponsor basic and applied research to improve comprehensive literacy instruction and improve students’ academic outcomes, such as on—
(A)
the relationship between reading books rather than passages in building reading stamina, the relationship between writing instruction and reading comprehension, optimal amounts of time for different aspects of reading and writing instruction in the average classroom, the essential components of effective reading curricula, the relationship between teacher preparation, professional development, and effective reading and writing instruction, and out-of-school factors that impact reading proficiency, including oral language development; and
(B)
the decreases in cognitive capabilities and attention spans amongst children and youth, including the relationship between screentime, social media, and addictive technology features; and
(2)
conduct initiatives or activities that promote engagement, the synthesis of education research on the topics described in paragraph (1), the development of related evidence-based practices, and the wide dissemination of such findings—
(A)
in a manner that is responsive to the educational challenges facing students, families, practitioners, and education system leaders; and
(B)
that can provide the basis for improving academic instruction and lifelong learning.
Sec. 6. NAEP reporting
Section 2225 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6645), as amended by section 5, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
(d) NAEP reporting to States
(1) In general
Not later than 5 days after the date described in paragraph (2), the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, acting through the Commissioner for Education Statistics, shall make available to the public and submit a public report to each State (including, to the greatest extent practicable, the Governor, the State educational agency, and State legislators) a report that contains easily accessible information on each of the following:
(A)
The academic outcomes of students in the State.
(B)
The State’s ranking compared to other States based on proficiency levels of each academic assessment conducted.
(C)
The State's ranking compared to other States on the following basis, to the greatest extent practicable:
(i)
Proficiency levels adjusted for poverty or similar demographics.
(ii)
Magnitude of achievement gaps, including between subgroups of students and gaps between the highest and lowest performing students in the State.
(iii)
Percentage of students at below basic achievement levels.
(D)
Relevant trend or longitudinal data, such as whether the State’s outcomes are increasing, decreasing, or stagnant, or whether cohorts of students demonstrate any significant achievement trends.
(2) Date
The date described in this paragraph is the date that the Commissioner for Education Statistics releases the results of the biennial State academic assessments in reading and mathematics in grades 4 and 8 of the National Assessment of Educational Progress carried out under section 303(b)(3) of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act.