Science of Reading Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Houchin
In Committee
Summary
Science of reading would become the required standard for federally supported literacy programs and the three-cueing model would be banned from comprehensive literacy instruction. The bill would require states and grant-funded programs to align plans and subgrants to evidence-based reading components.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Protects disability rights and local control
This bill would not change rights or protections under IDEA, Section 504, or the ADA. It would also say federal officers could not force states, districts, or schools to use a specific curriculum. Students with disabilities would keep their current protections.
Defines science of reading; bans three-cueing
This bill would define the "science of reading" and ban the three-cueing model in federally supported comprehensive literacy instruction. It would list phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing as core parts and emphasize background knowledge and oral language. Programs paid with ESEA funds awarded after enactment would not be allowed to use the three-cueing approach.
Grants and subgrants must align to reading science
This bill would make alignment to the defined "science of reading" a priority for federal literacy grants. States applying for comprehensive literacy grants would have to describe how their plans match the science of reading. Local subgrants for early childhood and K-12 programs that get ESEA funds after enactment would also need to follow that alignment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Houchin
IN • R
Cosponsors
Mannion
NY • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Kiley (CA)
CA • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Foxx
NC • R
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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