READ Act
Sponsored By: Representative McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
Introduced
Summary
Would expand competitive federal grants to states to fund evidence-based literacy programs aligned with the science of reading. The bill would target low-performing states, require universal early literacy screening, and support high-impact tutoring, teacher-preparation alignment, and new NAEP reporting to states.
Show full summary
- Families and students: Would require at least one universal early literacy screening before third grade, mandate parent notification for students identified at risk, and fund direct services like high-impact tutoring and summer learning.
- Educators and teacher preparation: Would require states to review and align teacher preparation programs with the science of reading and fund professional development, coaching, and literacy instructional coaches for high-need schools; reviews must be completed and published within 3 years of receiving funds.
- States and program rules: Grants would prioritize eligible low-performing states, require states to pass at least 75% of funds to subgrants, set allocation floors across birth–K (15%), K–5 (40%), and grades 6–12 (40%), and shorten grant periods to 4 years.
*Would reauthorize and modernize a federal literacy-grant program, add regular state NAEP reporting, and boost research at the Institute of Education Sciences.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New grants to states for reading
If enacted, the bill would authorize competitive grants to State education agencies for statewide literacy plans and supports. States would have to give at least 75% of each grant as subgrants to local eligible entities. From reserved program funds, not more than 5% would be used for national activities, and 0.5% each would be set aside for Bureau of Indian Education schools and for outlying areas. Grants would run for up to 4 years and must be used to supplement, not replace, existing state or local literacy spending.
New reading standards and definitions
If enacted, the bill would define the "science of reading," high-impact tutoring, and universal early literacy screening for the program. It would require programs to use explicit, systematic instruction in skills like phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and writing. The bill would bar approaches that rely on three-cueing or visual-memory-first methods and would require effective language instruction for English learners and students with disabilities.
State reading reports and privacy rules
If enacted, the bill would require each State grantee to publish an annual public report on screenings, interventions, and teacher training. Reports would show numbers and percentages of students screened and receiving reading help, teachers receiving science-of-reading professional development, and districts using recommended materials. States would not include personally identifiable information, and the Education Department would publish a summary to Congress within one year and every two years after that.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
GA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
IN • R
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Rep. Kiley, Kevin [I-CA-3]
CA • I
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
UT • R
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov