New legislation introduced this week by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) would create a comprehensive literacy policy that encompasses early childhood, elementary, and middle level and high school education. The Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation or “LEARN” Act (H.R. 4037 /S. 2740) is the product of a collaborative effort between Congress and a coalition of national education organizations, in which NASSP played a major role.

“Literacy must be education priority number one,” said Sen. Murray in a press release. “It’s the building block that keeps students engaged in school and on track to college and a successful career.” Rep. Polis also noted that the LEARN Act “supports high-quality literacy instruction to provide each and every child, including English language learners and students with special needs, with the reading and writing skills needed to succeed in college and in the workforce.”

“NASSP is thrilled to see the LEARN Act come to fruition after so many years of hard work in the area of adolescent literacy,” said NASSP Executive Director Gerald N. Tirozzi. “This legislation builds on our advocacy work for Striving Readers Act in the 110^th Congress and ensures that there is also a strong foundation for literacy skills in the early grades, which will help all students to succeed in secondary school and beyond.”

The LEARN Act would authorize $2.35 billion for comprehensive state and local literacy initiatives, building on the best components of the federal Early Reading First, Reading First, and Striving Readers programs. Of that amount, 15% must be designated for children from birth to age five, 40% for grades K-5, and 40% for grades 6-12.

Under the bill, states must form a state literacy leadership team to help create a comprehensive state plan to ensure high-quality instruction in reading and writing from early education through grade 12. States would also review pre-service coursework as well as state licensure and certification requirements and make recommendations to improve training in high-quality literacy instruction.

At the local level, school districts would support schoolwide literacy initiatives that include professional development for principals and teachers to incorporate literacy across the curriculum and targeted interventions for struggling students. Districts could also use grant funding to hire literacy coaches or to implement a multi-tier system of supports.

While we encourage all principals and assistant principals to ask their members of Congress to cosponsor the LEARN Act, the bill will likely be considered by Congress early next year as part of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.