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119-hr-10437119th CongressWALLET

FLUENT Act

Sponsored By: Representative Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a federal competitive grant program to fund family literacy services that teach English to both children and their caregivers and to boost early literacy using evidence-based methods. It targets families where caregivers face the greatest economic, educational, or social need and centers instruction on the science of reading.

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  • Families: Grants would serve households where each caregiver is at least 16 and at least one child is under eight, with programs measuring English acquisition, literacy, child development, and caregiver workforce readiness.
  • Local providers: Grants run one year with possible renewal up to five years and would range from $150,000 to $1,000,000 per grant each fiscal year.
  • Curriculum and staff: Programs must use research-based reading instruction that emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension and bans a three-cueing model. Staff must be trained and supervised by highly qualified providers.
  • Federal support and oversight: The Secretary of Education and national organizations would run technical assistance and annual evaluations.

*Would authorize $75 million annually for fiscal years 2027–2031, including up to 2% for evaluation and $5 million for technical assistance, increasing federal spending.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New federal grants for family literacy

If enacted, the bill would create a competitive grant program to fund family literacy providers. It would authorize $75 million each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Individual grants would be $150,000 to $1,000,000 per year, for an initial one-year term renewable up to four more years. The Secretary could reserve up to 2% of each year's money for an annual evaluation and must set aside $5,000,000 each year for technical assistance and training. The Secretary would fund at least two national organizations to give technical help and training to local providers.

Grantee outcome and reporting rules

If enacted, grantees would have to use culturally appropriate outcome measures in their programs. Measures would cover English language acquisition and academic skills, primary-language literacy development, caregiving and life skills, caregiver ability to communicate with school staff, child developmental progress, caregiver participation in home literacy and education, general cross-cutting skills, and caregiver workforce preparedness with measurable indicators. Grantees would need to track measurable progress in these areas as part of their applications and reporting.

Eligibility for families and providers

If enacted, applicants would need to show they prioritize English learners with the greatest economic, educational, and social need. Services funded by the grants would be limited to families where every caregiver has attained 16 years of age and the family has at least one child who is under 8 on the first day of the school year when services start. Applicants must collaborate with a State or Tribal local educational agency, a public school, or a nonprofit. The bill would define who counts as a family literacy provider, list allowed provider types, and define the "science of reading," including specific instructional components and excluding a three-cueing model. Program staff must be trained and supervised by a highly qualified family literacy provider.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

AZ • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 10/26/2026

  • Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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