SYRACUSE, N.Y., Sept. 18, 2026 — The Reading League (TRL) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Science of Reading Act of 2026 (H.R. 7890), bipartisan legislation that would strengthen federally funded literacy instruction by prioritizing practices aligned with the science of reading.
The bill recognizes the critical role of oral language, background knowledge, and the connection between reading and writing, while discouraging instructional approaches – such as three-cueing – that are not aligned with scientific evidence.
“The passage of H.R. 7890 is a monumental step toward ensuring federal literacy investments reflect the extensive research on how children learn to read,” said Dr. Maria Murray, president and CEO of The Reading League. “As this work continues, we must back this legislation with high-quality instructional materials, sustained coaching, and meaningful professional learning for the educators doing this critical work in classrooms every day.”
The Reading League appreciates the bipartisan leadership that has advanced this legislation, including that of Rep. John W. Mannion (NY-22) and Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-9), and commends them for recognizing that all children deserve access to effective reading instruction.
As H.R. 7890 advances to the U.S. Senate, TRL remains committed to serving as a trusted resource for policymakers, researchers, educators, and state leaders to advance policy grounded in scientific evidence and informed by the realities of implementation. To support the work of these individuals, TRL has created a dedicated section for policymakers and state education agencies on our Compass, a compendium of thoughtfully curated resources that highlight best practices in reading pedagogy and education policy.
About The Reading League
Celebrating a decade of impact, The Reading League is a global education nonprofit, advancing evidence-aligned reading instruction through advocacy, professional learning, research, and a growing network of 46 chapters. The Reading League’s work is grounded in the science of reading—decades of research revealing how the brain learns to read and which instructional practices are most effective. The Reading League believes that all children deserve to learn to read, and all educators deserve the knowledge to make it possible. For more information, please visit thereadingleague.org.
