Science of Reading Act of 2026

This Act may be cited as the Science of Reading Act of 2026.

Section 2221(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6641(b)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)—

(A) in subparagraph (K), by striking; and and inserting a semicolon;

(B) in subparagraph (L), by striking the period and inserting; and; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

(M) does not include the use of a three-cueing model.

(C) ; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

The term science of reading means an interdisciplinary body of evidence-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing that—

(A) identifies instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing as essential components to skilled reading;

(B) demonstrates the importance of background knowledge, oral language, the connection between reading and writing, and strong writing instruction;

(C) explains why some students have difficulty with reading and writing; and

(D) does not use a three-cueing model.

The term three-cueing model means an instructional approach or model that—

(A) uses meaning drawn from context, pictures, or syntax as the primary basis for teaching word recognition (commonly referred to as meaning, structure and syntax, and visual cues or MSV); or

(B) teaches visual memory as the primary basis for word recognition.

(2) .

Section 2222(d)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6642(d)(2)) is amended by inserting at the end—

(F) A description of the extent to which the State comprehensive literacy instruction plan is aligned to the science of reading.

.

Section 2222(e) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6642(e)) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting, that are aligned to the science of reading..

Section 2223(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6643(c)) is amended—

(A) by striking grants and inserting subgrants;

(B) by striking grant and inserting subgrant; and

(C) by striking the period at the end and inserting, that are aligned to the science of reading..

Section 2224(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6644(b)) is amended—

(A) by striking grants and inserting subgrants; and

(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting that are aligned to the science of reading..

This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to funds awarded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 note et seq.) on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to—

(1) limit or alter the rights, protections, and individualized instructional requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), or the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); or

(2) authorize any officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school’s specific instructional content, academic standards and assessments, curricula, or program of instruction.