'Education changed my life': Cassidy introduces reading reform bill [View all]

Source: ABC News

June 8, 2026, 6:01 AM


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."

Cassidy, who lost the Republican primary in Louisiana to an opponent backed by President Donald Trump two weeks ago, has spent nearly two decades on Capitol Hill championing health and education legislation. He told ABC News in an exclusive interview that education helped shape his legacy in office. "Education changed my life," Cassidy said. "Education is the one great thing in our society that can take somebody and transform their future," he said, adding, "Reading is the kernel within education that makes it work."

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.

Read more: https://abcnews.com/US/education-changed-life-cassidy-introduces-reading-reform-bill/story?id=133628312

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Why bother? YOU voted for the Barbaric Butcher Bill that slashed anything that would have helped the average person and instead shoveled billions to billionaires. Who is going to approve money for this? I expect no one in YOUR party. Your leader wants to get rid of the Department of Education.