H.R. 7890 · Passed House · Education

Science of Reading Act of 2026

What it does

Define science of reading to include evidence-based research on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing as essential reading components.
Exclude three-cueing models (context and picture-based word recognition) from comprehensive literacy instruction funded by Comprehensive Literacy State Development grants.
Establish that CLSD grants to state educational agencies can flow through competitive subgrants to local educational agencies for literacy instruction plans and professional development.
Require professional development funded by CLSD grants to align with science of reading principles.

Official summary

Science of Reading Act of 2026 This bill revises the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant program to prioritize literacy instruction that is aligned to the science of reading. Under the bill, science of reading is defined as an interdisciplinary body of evidence-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing that (1) identifies instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing as essential components to skilled reading; (2) demonstrates the importance of background knowledge, oral language, the connection between reading and writing, and strong writing instruction; (3) explains why some students have difficulty with reading and writing; and (4) does not use a three-cueing model. Three-cueing model means an instructional approach or model that (1) uses meaning drawn from context, pictures, or syntax as the primary basis for teaching word recognition; or (2) teaches visual memory as the primary basis for word recognition. Current law authorizes competitive CLSD grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) and, through them, competitive subgrants to local educational agencies for the development and…

Latest action

Sep 17, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions