Science of Reading Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
In Committee
Summary
Would anchor federal literacy funding to the science of reading and ban the three-cueing model as an instructional approach. The bill defines the science of reading to include phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing and says instruction must not rely on meaning, pictures, or visual memory as the primary basis for word recognition.
Show full summary
- Families and students: Early learning and K–12 classrooms would see literacy programs that prioritize phonics, oral language, background knowledge, and strong writing instruction instead of three-cueing approaches.
- States and local education agencies: State applications for Comprehensive Literacy State Development funding would have to describe how their plans align to the science of reading and funding priorities would favor aligned programs.
- Early childhood and K–12 grant programs and educators: The bill would change some funding language from grants to subgrants for birth through kindergarten entry and for kindergarten through grade 12 and require those subgrants to be aligned to the science of reading.
- Schools and civil rights protections: The bill would preserve Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other disability and civil rights protections and bars federal officers from directing specific local instructional content.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Federal literacy grants require alignment
If enacted, states applying for Comprehensive Literacy State Development grants would have to describe how their plans align with the science of reading. The bill would make programs and activities aligned to that evidence base a funding priority. It would require birth-through-kindergarten and K–12 literacy awards to be administered as subgrants that are aligned to the science of reading. These rules would apply to ESEA funds awarded on or after the date of enactment. The bill does not set any new dollar amounts.
Disability rights and local control
If enacted, the bill would not change rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act. It would also prohibit federal officers and employees from mandating, directing, or controlling a State, local educational agency, or school's specific instructional content, standards, assessments, curricula, or program of instruction. These statements would take effect on or after the date of enactment.
New reading definition and ban
If enacted, the bill would define the "science of reading" as research that supports teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing. It would also emphasize background knowledge, oral language, and the link between reading and writing. The bill would define the three-cueing model as using context, pictures, syntax, or visual memory as the main basis for word recognition. If enacted, comprehensive literacy instruction paid for with ESEA funds would not include the three-cueing model for funds awarded on or after the date of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
IN • R
Cosponsors
Mannion
NY • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Kiley (CA)
CA • I
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
NC • R
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov