READ Act and California Education Bills Target Literacy and Digital Wellness

The bipartisan READ Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate in June and the House in August, would modernize the federal literacy grant program for the first time in more than a decade and require evidence‑based reading instruction for states receiving federal funding. Families In Schools, led by President and CEO Yolie Flores, and Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA‑03) are among the advocates urging Congress to pass the legislation, citing declining reading achievement nationwide.

In California, lawmakers are considering a slate of education bills before the August 31 deadline. AB 2071 would mandate digital‑wellness instruction in health classes, teaching students about responsible social‑media and AI use, with a curriculum to be developed by the state Department of Education by January 2028. AB 1709 would bar children under 16 from creating accounts on platforms with “addictive” features and require age‑verification systems. Additional proposals aim to expand community‑college bachelor’s programs, improve identification of Indigenous students, and streamline reclassification of English learners. Governor Gavin Newsom has until September 30 to sign or veto the measures.