Chairman Cassidy, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Support Children with Dyslexia, Improve Literacy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Literacy Improvement for Transformation (LIFT) Act to improve child literacy by increasing the number of reading and literacy specialists in schools. With 1 in 5 children having dyslexia, this legislation will ensure tailored instruction so all can learn to read proficiently.
“Children with dyslexia are bright, but without the right support, they are being left behind,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This legislation helps schools put more trained reading specialists in classrooms so students with dyslexia and other struggling readers receive the instruction they need to succeed.”
“Every child deserves the chance to succeed, and that starts with learning to read and write at grade level or above,” said Senator Heinrich. “My LIFT Act will help schools hire dedicated reading specialists to work directly with students and build a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.”
Early reading interventions help students build the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, children who aren’t reading proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave high school without a diploma than their peers who are proficient readers.
Students in rural communities and students with learning disabilities often face additional barriers to developing strong reading skills. Hiring more reading and literacy specialists can help close the literacy gap by providing targeted support and personalized instruction to students who need it most.
The LIFT Act will ensure every K-12 public school has at least one full-time reading or literacy specialist on staff to help students strengthen their reading skills, overcome challenges, and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Cassidy and Heinrich’s LIFT Act establishes a grant program to help state and local education agencies, nonprofits, and Bureau of Indian Education K-12 schools hire full-time reading specialists to improve literacy and close achievement gaps.
Specifically, the LIFT Act:
- Ensures reading specialists spend at least 80% of their time working directly with students and teachers.
- Supports ongoing professional development for reading specialists, including evidence-based literacy certifications.
- Prioritizes hiring reading specialists to support the lowest-performing students and students with disabilities.
The legislation is endorsed by National Center for Learning Disabilities, Teach Plus, and The May Center.
Background:
Chairman Cassidy is leading efforts to improve literacy and ensure children with dyslexia have the resources they need to reach their potential. His 21st Century Dyslexia Act, which advanced out of committee in July, would improve diagnoses for individuals with dyslexia and enhance access to evidence-based interventions and resources. Cassidy’s bipartisan Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development (READ) Act, also passed out of committee in July. If passed by Congress, it would improve literacy instruction by requiring early literacy screening, and empowering states, local communities, and parents with more resources. Additionally, Cassidy led a roundtable discussion with parents to support students with dyslexia.
The full text of the bill is here.
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