Science of Reading Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7890
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-29: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 623.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T20:41:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The Science of Reading Act of 2026 amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to exclude the three-cueing model from comprehensive literacy instruction and to prioritize federal literacy grant funds for programs aligned with the science of reading.
Key Provisions
- Definitions added: The bill defines “science of reading” as an interdisciplinary body of evidence-based research focused on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, writing, background knowledge, oral language, and the reading-writing connection. It explicitly excludes any use of a three-cueing model.
- Three-cueing model defined: An instructional approach that relies primarily on meaning from context, pictures, or syntax (often called MSV) or visual memory for word recognition.
- Exclusion from comprehensive literacy instruction: The definition of comprehensive literacy instruction is amended to state that it does not include the three-cueing model.
- State plan alignment: State applications for Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants must describe how the state plan aligns with the science of reading.
- Grant and subgrant priorities: Priority is given to grants and subgrants (for birth through kindergarten and kindergarten through grade 12) that are aligned to the science of reading.
- Applicability: The changes apply to funds awarded under ESEA on or after the date of enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds new statutory definitions and explicit exclusions within ESEA’s literacy sections. It shifts grant-making priorities toward science-of-reading-aligned approaches and requires states to address this alignment in their plans. It does not alter the underlying grant structure but imposes new conditions on how funds may be used.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: States and local educational agencies receiving literacy grants must adjust plans and applications to emphasize science-of-reading alignment and avoid three-cueing methods.
- Citizens and schools: Schools and teachers may shift instructional materials and professional development away from three-cueing approaches toward phonics-based methods.
- No federal curriculum control: The bill includes a rule of construction stating that nothing authorizes federal mandates on instructional content, standards, curricula, or programs of instruction.
- Disability protections preserved: Rights and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act remain unchanged.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State education agencies
- Local educational agencies and schools
- Teachers and literacy specialists
- Students receiving literacy instruction
- Federal Department of Education (as grant administrator)
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation introduces explicit statutory language defining and excluding specific instructional methods while adding rules of construction to protect existing disability rights and prevent federal overreach into state and local curriculum decisions. These provisions aim to balance federal funding priorities with state and local control.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-29: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 623.
- 2026-06-29: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-717.
- 2026-06-29: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-717.
- 2026-03-17: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 33 - 0.
- 2026-03-17: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-03-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-03-12: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Science of Reading Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-12 — PDF (5 pages)
- Science of Reading Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-29 — PDF (8 pages)