Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-03) and Congressman Jared Polis (CO-02) introduced major legislation to develop a comprehensive national literacy program. The Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation (LEARN) Act will develop and fund local literacy programs across the nation to ensure that children from birth to 12th grade learn the writing and reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
“Literacy skills are fundamental to a good education, a successful career, and a highly-skilled, competitive workforce. Yet, more than 60 percent of our nation’s high school seniors currently cannot read or write at their grade level,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “By enacting the LEARN Act, we will help close that gap and make much needed investments in the future of American students and the long-term economic growth of our nation.”
With states across the nation facing budget shortfalls and funding for education programs in jeopardy, the LEARN Act offers much-needed federal support for literacy initiatives that teach the fundamental elements necessary to every child’s education. The legislation authorizes $2.35 billion in grant funding per year to be allocated to state and local programs to develop and implement plans based on the practices proven to be the most effective and efficient methods of literacy instruction.
“Literacy is the foundation of a student’s success in learning and in life, which is why the LEARN Act is so essential for our nation,” said Congressman Polis. “If America isn’t investing in the basic literacy skills of children from the early years through high school, we’re shortchanging these students and undermining our nation’s economic future. The LEARN Act must be on the agenda in this Congress if we’re to seriously address school reform this year.”
LEARN Act funding will initially assist states in assembling a team of literacy experts charged with developing a state literacy plan. Subsequent federal support will be available to train teachers, improve literacy instruction, and implement the new literacy plans.
Specifically, LEARN Act literacy initiatives will:
- Support high-quality professional development enabling teachers to improve literacy. instruction at every grade level, including special education students and English language learners.
- Expand Literacy Programs in effect for 4th through 12th graders.
- Refocus Literacy Efforts for disadvantaged students and students with learning disabilities.
- Support extensive data-driven literacy research to ensure best practices are implemented.
Congressmen Yarmuth and Polis worked extensively with national literacy leaders to draft legislation that would effectively address the needs of students of all abilities and backgrounds. A letter of support signed by 63 organizations is included with this release.
Original cosponsors of the bill include Shelley Berkley (NV-01), Robert Brady (PA-01), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), Howard Berman (CA-28), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Mazie Hirono (HI-02), and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP).
Full text of the legislation – designated as H.R. 2272 - can be found at www.thomas.loc.gov.
