Rep. Houchin Bill to Improve Literacy Education Practices Passes House

WASHINGTON—Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7890, the Science of Reading Act of 2026. This bill would prioritize the Science of Reading in the deployment of federal literacy funds. This brings federal policy into alignment with advancements in scientific understanding of how children learn to read, and reserves grant funding to the most impactful and effective methods of instruction.

 

American schoolchildren at all levels have faced declining literacy skills for nearly a decade. This is a quiet crisis that has significant economic, social, and behavioral impacts for the rest of each student’s life, and for the communities that they live in.

 

Fortunately, we have a clear path forward. The Science of Reading is a body of research that emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as pillars of instructional principles. Implementation of Science of Reading in states across the country has yielded significant improvements in reading acquisition on all levels, including in Indiana.

 

“Reading is the foundation of learning, and we cannot accept declining literacy rates as the status quo. The Science of Reading Act will equip classrooms with proven methods to ensure every student can read. Indiana has shown that the Science of Reading works, and I’m proud to see this important legislation pass the House.”

 

"It’s time to move away from failed theories and restore evidence-based reading instruction that actually works. Our children deserve an education grounded in what the evidence tells us, not the latest educational fad. I applaud Rep. Houchin for her leadership to improve our nation’s child literacy rates.”

 

“As a former teacher and Chair of the K-12 Education Subcommittee, I am grateful the House has come together in a bipartisan way to promote literacy. Perhaps nothing is more vital to a child's academic success than receiving proper literacy instruction from an early age. This legislation will promote best practices, rooted in the science of reading, and help more students develop the reading skills needed to reach their full potential.”

 

"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.”

 

“Indiana continues to invest historic resources to ensure the science of reading is used in every Hoosier classroom. Through this intentional focus, we’ve seen two consecutive years of historic literacy gains, with nearly 90 percent of third graders now reading proficiently. This legislation reinforces our work in Indiana, ensures taxpayer dollars are only used on what we know works, and will help more students across the country to become strong readers.”

 

“Literacy is the key to unlocking future success for our students, which is why it is absolutely essential that we use instructional strategies proven to help children learn to read. Through Indiana’s focus on the science of reading, we have more Hoosier third graders reading today than even before the pandemic. By doubling down on these evidence-based strategies, we can ensure students across Indiana and the nation have the best possible chance for literacy success, and thus lifelong opportunities.”

 

"We are already seeing the impact of the Science of Reading research in Indiana, with literacy rates among Hoosier children showing significant improvement since 2022. As one of Indiana’s largest producers of teachers, IU acted swiftly to align our programs with science of reading practices, ensuring our graduates enter classrooms prepared to meet the needs of every student. The Science of Reading Act will further support this work and inspire a new generation of confident readers.” 

 

“We appreciate Representatives Houchin, Mannion, and Kiley for their leadership on the Science of Reading Act of 2026 and for engaging Save the Children on this important effort. Every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader. This legislation is an important step toward closing literacy gaps by promoting evidence-based instruction grounded in decades of research. We welcome this investment in early literacy and support continued efforts to ensure children in rural and underserved communities have access to high-quality reading instruction. By equipping educators with proven tools and training, we can help more children develop the foundational skills they need to thrive.” 

- ‎Allison Dembeck, Head of Policy, Save the Children