LITERACY: Harder’s National Reading Panel Restoration Passes Out of Committee

June 10, 2026 Press Release Completed in 2000, evidence-based report identified key metrics of educational excellence and established “Science of Reading” Image ABOVE: Harder speaks in support of the National Reading Panel during Tuesday’s markup Restored Panel would give teachers, parents, and lawmakers clear path to improving reading scores across America WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that he secured language in federal appropriations legislation to restore the National Reading Panel and jumpstart Science of Reading initiatives at the Department of Education. The provisions were included in report text accompanying the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill that passed out of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee last night. First established by the Committee in 1998, the National Reading Panel was completed in 2000 as the seminal text for the growing body of evidence referred to as the “Science of Reading.” The panel identified key pillars of educational excellence built on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. When implemented, the Science of Reading works, but the rest of the country is facing a growing literacy crisis: States like California, Louisiana, and Mississippi have successfully adopted Science of Reading initiatives, with the latter rising from 49th in the country to the top ten in fourth-grade reading over the past decade. But nationwide, 12th-grade reading scores are at their lowest levels since the National Assessment of Educational Progress began tracking these scores in 1992. As the next generation enters the workforce, the impact of low reading levels is already being felt to the tune of nearly $40 billion in lost productivity. “The National Reading Panel kickstarted an entire movement around education excellence - but decades later, those lessons have not been fully adopted,” said Rep. Harder . “Since then, our kids have been paying the price in lower reading scores and worse educational and career outcomes. It’s time for the federal government to take our literacy crisis seriously by bringing back the National Reading Panel and scaling up Science of Reading initiatives. Yesterday’s markup is an exciting step towards improving literacy across America.” Harder’s efforts included in federal appropriations legislation to scale up the federal response to severe literacy rates: Restored National Reading Panel – Reestablishes the National Reading Panel, giving teachers, parents, and lawmakers a clear path to improving reading scores across America. What Works Clearinghouse Reforms – Directs the Department of Education to make recommendations for streamlining and enhancing one of the main federal tools for evaluating educational research. Science of Reading Investments – Commits to increasing funding for comprehensive state literacy grants by 13%, with a priority for programs aligned with the Science of Reading. “Parents have been clear: invest in reading,” said Keri Rodrigues, President, National Parents Union . “The House education budget answered that call with increased funding for federal literacy programs that will help more children become strong readers. We are grateful to Congressman Harder’s continued leadership on behalf of kids and families.” ### Issues : Jobs & Education