LITERACY: Harder Announces Bipartisan Bill to Raise Reading Scores through Science of Reading Investments

One third of graduating high school seniors not reading at grade level

Harder’s bill requires teacher evaluations, literacy screening, and student interventions for states receiving literacy funding

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced the U.S. House introduction of bipartisan legislation to tackle the nation’s growing literacy crisis by investing in proven reforms that raise reading scores and deliver accountability for families. Led with Reps. Erin Houchin (IN-09), Lucy McBath (GA-06),Kevin Kiley (CA-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Burgess Owens (UT-04), Harder’s Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development (READ) Act requires states receiving federal literacy grants to adopt science of reading reforms that have already been proven successful in several states. 

“Washington used to believe that improving school was both important and possible, but after years of paralysis, our kids have been paying the price in lower reading scores and worse education outcomes,” said Rep. Harder. “The good news is that states have already proven that evidence-based reforms can reverse years of learning losses. The READ Act is a critical step towards reinvigorating federal leadership in education and accelerating solutions to our nationwide literacy crisis - we can’t let any more time go to waste.”

How the READ Act reverses years of learning losses:

• Science of Reading Investments– Unlocks additional Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant funding for states struggling with student literacy alongside incentives for implementing literacy coaching and high-quality instruction materials.
• Accountability – Requires states receiving funding to conduct universal early literacy screening and teacher preparation program evaluations while developing comprehensive literacy instruction plans.
• Student Interventions– These states will also have to notify families when students are struggling, with an emphasis on dyslexia identification and intervention.
• Better Research– Protects and strengthens literacy research capacity through comprehensive centers and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

Companion legislation in the U.S. Senate just passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee with broad bipartisan support. The legislation is supported by the National Parents Union, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of School Psychologists, the Council of Administrators of Special Education, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, The Arc, Families in Schools, and Educators for Excellence.

Harder is one of the youngest working parents in Congress, and he is leading efforts to restore the National Reading Panel, increase funding for comprehensive state literacy grants, and streamline federal education research programs.

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