Representative John W. Mannion's (NY-22) Legislation to Improve Reading Outcomes in Elementary and Secondary Schools Passes Out of Committee with Bipartisan Support

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) today announced his legislation, the Science of Reading Act of 2026, passed out of the Education and Workforce Committee with unanimous support. This bipartisan bill, also supported by Representative Erin Houchin (IN-9) and Representative Kevin Kiley (CA-3), aims to strengthen reading outcomes by promoting evidence-based instruction grounded in the Science of Reading.   

Representative John W. Mannion said, “As a teacher for nearly three decades, I know that strong reading skills are foundational to a student’s success in the classroom and in life. The Science of Reading Act of 2026 delivers proven, evidence-based instruction that helps students build those skills early and effectively. As states continue adopting the science of reading approach, this bipartisan effort creates a clear, consistent framework to improve outcomes nationwide. This is a critical step toward ensuring that the United States remains globally competitive and every student has the tools they need to succeed from the classroom to their career.”  

The Science of Reading Act would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require that literary instruction funded through the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program follow the “science of reading.” Furthermore, the bill would limit the use of the three‑cueing model as the primary model of instruction for states participating in this program. This bill also carefully ensures protections for individualized instructional supports for students with disabilities and English language learners.   

The science of reading uses five evidence-based components of phonemic awareness - phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension - to teach students literary instruction. More than 40 states have implemented these methods successfully, helping to create more consistent and comprehensive outcomes for students.  

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