Federal literacy grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act currently fund a range of reading instruction methods for schools nationwide. This bill changes the rules for those grants, excluding a specific method known as the "three-cueing model" — where children are taught to guess unfamiliar words using picture clues, sentence structure, or context rather than sounding them out — from counting as "comprehensive literacy instruction." States and school districts applying for Comprehensive Literacy State Development grants would need to show their reading plans align with the "science of reading," an evidence-based approach built around phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. The bill affects public school teachers, reading specialists, and students in schools that receive these federal literacy grants, though it does not give federal officials authority to dictate a school's specific curriculum or instructional materials.
Congressional Summary
Science of Reading Act of 2026This 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 implementation of a comprehensive literacy instruction plan, professional development, and other activities. Eligible early childhood education programs may also receive subgrants for early literacy services.The bill (1) specifies that comprehensive literacy instruction for CLSD grants does not include the use of a three-cueing model, and (2) requires the Department of Education and SEAs to prioritize awarding CLSD grants and subgrants for evidence-based activities that are aligned to the science of reading.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to House
- Action Date
- 2026-06-29
- Date Added
- 2026-07-15
- Source
- Congress.gov →
Like reading a bill in plain English?
We're building an app that does this for every bill in Congress and lets you tell your reps how you want them to vote. We're a small team getting ready to launch, and we're trying to show investors that real people want this. Be one of them. Help us get it built. Leave your email and we'll tell you the moment the app is ready.