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Reed Introduces Right To Read Act Abc6

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reed introduces right to read act abc6

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLNE) — In an effort to increase literacy and expand opportunity, Sen. Jack Reed and Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva introduced the bicameral Right to Read Act. The legislation aims to help address disparities in access to school library resources and surge federal investment in support of increasing student literacy across the country, Reed said. The U.S.

Department of Education reports that 2.5 million students are enrolled in districts where there are no school libraries. Reed said the Right to Read Act aims to address this issue, ensuring students have evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, and a wide range of reading materials. “Under the House Republican majority, GOP politicians have sought to politicize our children’s schools and enable the voices of an extreme few dictate what children can or cannot read,” Grijalva said. WASHINGTON, DC – Literacy opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success. To make sure this door is open to every child, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S.

Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) introduced the Right to Read Act, which will close gaps in access to school library resources and surge federal investment in support of increasing student literacy across America. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, reading scores for American nine-year-olds have dropped to their lowest point since 1990. Research consistently shows that access to school libraries makes a big difference in giving kids the skills and inspiration they need to become proficient and enthusiastic readers. Students who utilize their school libraries have 73 percent higher literacy rates than their peers who do not. However, not every student has access to a school library or school librarian. The Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics reports that about 8,830 public schools across America do not have a school library.

For schools that do, nearly 17,000 do not have a full- or part-time librarian. Vulnerable students face even greater disadvantages in accessing strong school library programs, with students experiencing the highest levels of poverty being 30 percent more likely to not have a school library at all. School libraries are most effective when they offer resources that resonate, engage, and empower students. Yet, during the 2024-2025 school year, PEN America recorded 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts. Since 2021, the organization has tracked nearly 23,000 book bans in public schools. For immediate release | December 5, 2025

WASHINGTON – The American Library Association (ALA) and its division, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), welcomed yesterday’s bicameral reintroduction of the Right to Read Act by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative... Originally introduced in 2022 by the late Representative Raúl Grijalva, the Congresswoman’s father and predecessor in AZ-07, the Right to Read Act is designed to ensure all students, including low-income and minority students, children... American Library Association President Sam Helmick said, “School librarians and media specialists uplift students every school day across our nation. Librarians help students learn to read and inspire them to read to learn. The Right to Read Act strengthens the resources they depend on, ensuring every student has early, equitable access to up-to-date books, technology, and expert guidance. We applaud Sen.

Jack Reed and Rep. Adelita Grijalva for championing this essential legislation.” “The evidence is clear: well-resourced school libraries and certified school librarians are not optional, they are foundational to student success,” said American Association of School Librarians President Amanda Kordeliski. “More than fifty years of research across over sixty studies show that students with access to full-time, state-certified librarians and robust collections consistently perform better academically. When we invest in school librarians, we are investing in equity, literacy, and the future of our communities." Students that utilize school libraries have 73% higher literacy rates than students attending schools without adequately resourced and staffed school libraries.

The U.S. Department of Education reports that 2.5 million students are enrolled today in districts without a school library while approximately 30% of schools do not have a single full-time librarian. The lawmakers said the legislation would support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the freedom to choose what to read." Saying that literacy "opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success" U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) this week introduced—or more accurately—reintroduced the Right to Read Act, a bill that proposes to "surge" federal investment in support of student literacy, support the "recruiting and retention of school...

The bicameral bill was first introduced in 2022 by Reed and Adelita's father, longtime Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who died at the age of 77 while battling cancer. Adelita Grijalva won election to her father's seat in a special election in September. The bill was also reintroduced in 2023, but failed to advance. While the text of the recently reintroduced bill has not yet been filed, the lawmakers said in a joint release that the legislation would once again seek to support "evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked... The release also said the new bill, like its predecessors, would reauthorize the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant program at $500 million and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program at $100 million. Furthermore, the legislation "reaffirms that first amendment rights apply to school libraries in response to the alarming trend of book banning" and would offer protections for "school librarians and other educators in carrying out...

Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03) have once again introduced the Right to Read Act, which would, among its provisions, ensure all U.S. students have access to a school library staffed by a certified school librarian. The bill was first introduced in October 2022, but failed to advance through a lame-duck Congress. Among the bill's provisions, the Right to Read Act would authorize up to $500 million in Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants as well as increase the authorization for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program... The legislation would also invest in "recruiting and retaining state-certified school librarians," and "school library staff working to broaden access to library collections." Crucially, the legislation also reaffirms that "First Amendment rights apply to school libraries" and seeks to extend "liability protections" to teachers and school librarians.

That measure is a direct response to the ongoing surge of book bans and educational gag orders disproportionately targeting titles involving issues of race and the LGBTQ+ community and in some cases threatening librarians... According to the U.S. Department of Education, as many as 2.5 million students are enrolled in districts where there are no school libraries, and some 30% of students do not have access to full time school librarians, noted... The release also acknowledged the wave of book bans in states across the nation. "School libraries are most effective when they offer resources that resonate, engage, and empower students," the statement reads, "however, 37 states have enacted bans on books that disproportionately limit access to titles with LGBTQ+... ALA officials praised the bill's reintroduction.

During School Library Month & National Library Week, Reed & Grijalva offer bill to invest $600 million in key library literacy programs that would address disparities in access to school library resources WASHINGTON, DC – Literacy opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success. In an effort to increase literacy and expand opportunity, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03) introduced the bicameral Right to Read Act. This legislation would help address disparities in access to school library resources and surge federal investment in support of increasing student literacy across America.

Data show that school libraries make a significant, positive impact giving kids the skills and inspiration needed to become proficient and enthusiastic readers. Access to a school library results in 73 percent higher literacy rates for all students and an even more powerful impact for low-income, minority and disabled students. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 2.5 million students are enrolled in districts where there are no school libraries, meaning that 1 out of 10 schools in America are without a library and 30 percent... School libraries are most effective when they offer resources that resonate, engage, and empower students; however, 37 states have enacted bans on books that disproportionately limit access to titles with LGBTQ+ characters and characters... The Right to Read Act will help address these disparities, ensuring that students have evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the...

It also addresses the information digital literacy needs of today’s students. The bill goes further to strengthen effective school libraries by investing in recruiting and retaining state-certified school librarians, and supporting staff working to broaden access to library collections. WASHINGTON, DC – Literacy opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success. To make sure this door is open to every child, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03) introduced the Right to Read Act (S.

5064 / H.R. 9056), which will address disparities in access to school library resources and surge federal investment in support of increasing student literacy across America. The Right to Read Act would reauthorize the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant program at $500 million and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program at $100 million. Data show that school libraries make a significant difference in giving kids the skills and inspiration needed to become proficient and enthusiastic readers. Access to a school library results in 73% higher literacy rates for all students and an even more powerful impact for low income, minority and disabled students. The U.S.

Department of Education reports that 2.5 million students are enrolled in districts where there are no school libraries, meaning that 1 out of 10 schools in America are without a library and 30% do... School libraries are most effective when they offer resources that resonate, engage, and empower students; however, 32 states have enacted bans on books that disproportionately limit access to titles with LGBTQ+ characters and characters... The Right to Read Act will help address these disparities, ensuring that students have evidence-based reading instruction, well stocked and staffed school libraries, family literacy programs, a wide range of reading materials, and the... It also addresses the information digital literacy needs of today’s students. The bill goes further to strengthen effective school libraries by investing in recruiting and retaining state-certified school librarians, and supporting staff working to broaden access to library collections. The Right to Read Act reaffirms that first amendment rights apply to school libraries in response to the alarming trend of book banning, and it protects school librarians and other educators in carrying out...

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