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Committee backs Science of Reading Act to align federal literacy grants with phonics-based instruction
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Summary
The committee agreed to an amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 7890, the Science of Reading Act, directing federal literacy funds toward evidence-based reading practices (phonics, phonemic awareness) while preserving local control and protections for English learners and students with disabilities.
Representative McKenzie, sponsor of the Science of Reading Act (HR 7890), described the ANS as aligning federal comprehensive literacy grants with evidence-based components of reading instruction: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. McKenzie and cosponsors argued that many students have not benefited from decades of less-effective methods and cited state examples of improvement after adopting phonics-based curricula.
Supporters from both parties, including a former teacher who said the "reading wars are over," emphasized the need to target federal funds to methods supported by research while retaining local control over curriculum. Ranking Member Scott noted concerns for English learners and students with disabilities and thanked sponsors for including protections in the bill's language.
The committee agreed to an amendment in the nature of a substitute and moved HR 7890 forward; recorded committee votes later show the amendment and the committee report passed by unanimous recorded tally, as reflected in the markup record.
