US Senate dyslexia legislation debate

In late July 2026, a coalition of disability‑rights and education groups wrote to the Senate HELP Committee urging it to reject the 21st Century Dyslexia Act, arguing that the bill’s definition of dyslexia conflicted with scientific evidence and could disrupt existing state and district programs. The groups advocated for universal screening, evidence‑based instruction, and early intervention to improve literacy outcomes.

Two days later, the Senate HELP Committee approved two related education measures. The bipartisan READ Act amended the federal literacy grant program to require early screening, mandate evidence‑based instruction, and allocate more funding to states with the lowest fourth‑grade reading scores. The companion 21st Century Dyslexia Act created a distinct federal disability category for dyslexia. While the bills passed the committee with bipartisan support, the same disability‑rights organizations reiterated concerns that the dyslexia definition could leave some children undiagnosed. Both measures moved forward to the full Senate for further consideration.