Science of Reading Act of 2026

Summary of the Science of Reading Act of 2026

The Science of Reading Act of 2026 is a federal bill focused on improving how reading is taught in American schools. Based on its title, the bill would likely require or encourage schools and teacher training programs to use reading instruction methods that are grounded in well-established research — often called the "science of reading." This approach emphasizes foundational skills like phonics (connecting letters to sounds), phonemic awareness, and decoding words, which decades of research have shown to be effective for most children learning to read.

The bill would most directly affect elementary school students, classroom teachers, school administrators, and teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities. Teachers and those studying to become teachers may be required to learn and use these research-backed methods. Schools that receive federal education funding could be expected to adopt approved reading curricula or demonstrate that their programs align with the science of reading.

The bill passed its committee vote unanimously (33–0), which suggests broad bipartisan support at this stage of the legislative process. It has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce for further consideration before it could move to a full House vote.

*Note: Because no official bill text or description was provided, this summary is based on the bill's title and legislative context. Specific details — such as funding amounts, exact requirements, or penalties — are not confirmed and may differ from the final version of the legislation.*