Education Leaders Applaud Passage of the Science of Reading Act

Education Leaders Applaud Passage of the Science of Reading Act

WASHINGTON-Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7890, the Science of Reading Act of 2026, a bipartisan bill focused on strengthening literacy instruction. This bill clarifies that federally supported literacy instruction should align with evidence-based literacy instruction based on the science of reading, including core components such as phonics, fluency, and vocabulary.

The Science of Reading Act of 2026 was first introduced by Reps. John W. Mannion (D-NY-22), Erin Houchin (R-IN-09), and Kevin Kiley (I-CA-03), and it was reported out of the House Committee on Education and Workforce with unanimous support on March 17, 2026.

"The Science of Reading Act is a reasonable, research-based approach to ensure that federal literacy funding supports practices that help students learn. Furthermore, this bill makes it clear that other methods can be used as secondary methods of literacy instruction to meet the needs of special populations such as students with disabilities or multilingual learners," said Ranking Member Scott. "I would like to thank Mr. Mannion for his leadership on this bill. His decades of teaching high school are evident in the dedication he has to fighting for a better education system for students, families, and teachers alike."

"As a teacher for nearly three decades - and the husband of a literacy expert - I know that strong reading skills are the foundation for success in the classroom, in the workplace, and throughout life. The Science of Reading Act gives teachers and students access to proven, evidence-based approaches that help kids become stronger readers. I'm proud that Republicans and Democrats came together to pass this legislation and move us one step closer to improving reading outcomes for students in NY-22 and across the country. Strong schools and strong readers are essential to America's ability to compete and win globally," said Rep. Mannion.

To read the bill text of the Science of Reading Act, click here.

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