Bill Would Replace Key Federal Literacy Programs

$2.35 billion being asked for K-12 literacy programs in wake of 'Reading First'

Long-awaited legislation to replace three federal reading programs—Early Reading First, Reading First, and Striving Readers—was introduced last week by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and would authorize $2.35 billion in funding to improve reading and writing in kindergarten to 12th grade.

As of press time, a similar literacy bill was to be introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., and Jared Polis, D-Colo.

The Senate’s comprehensive-literacy bill, if passed and fully funded, would represent a huge boost in federal...