Arthur Jones IIJun 8, 2026
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is introducing a proposal on Monday that aims to improve reading outcomes for America’s youth and combat illiteracy nationwide.
The Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development — or “READ” — Act focuses on evidence-based reading instruction, implementation and intervention through a growing practice called the “science of reading.”
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Education advocates are calling the READ Act the largest federal reading reform proposal in years. If passed, the bipartisan bill would use a combination of foundational literacy components, including phonemic awareness, fluency, language structure, vocabulary, background knowledge and literacy knowledge to teach reading, according to the bill’s text.
The bill requires state grantees to craft literacy instruction plans aligned with the science of reading.
Critics warn that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the literacy crisis. Some experts suggest reading to children — and incorporating a balanced literacy approach — should also be employed to help students achieve better results.
With multiple Democratic co-sponsors, including New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan and Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper, the bill is expected to make it out of Cassidy’s committee and could receive a floor vote.
The reading crisis is widespread. Only 35% of 8th-grade students were proficient in reading in 2024, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
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Early Literacy Screener Map.
3,887 Madison 4 year old to third grade students scored lower than 75% of the students in the national comparison group.
Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average k-12 tax & $pending. This despite our long term, disastrous reading results. May, 2026: 7,095 Staff for 25,003 students; $pending > $26k per student!
Madison Schools: More $, No Accountability
The taxpayer funded Madison School District long used Reading Recovery…
The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?