Capitol Hill briefing highlighted state and local progress, parent voice, and science-of-reading strategies that improve student outcomes
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 27, 2026 — Yesterday, the National Parents Union and the George W. Bush Institute convened a Capitol Hill briefing on reading reform. The event was held in the Senate in partnership with the office of Senator Bill Cassidy (LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. It brought together Congressman Josh Harder (CA-09), education leaders from across the country, policy experts, parents, and some of the nation’s leading literacy advocates, including Kareem Weaver of Fulcrum Literacy and Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Luisa Sparrow.
Together, participants highlighted science-of-reading reforms and the progress states and school systems are making to improve student outcomes. Speakers also underscored that this moment did not happen by accident. Parents have long been sounding the alarm on the nation’s reading crisis and helping build the awareness that made this push for reform possible. At the same time, speakers emphasized that additional federal action is still needed to address the nation’s literacy crisis.
“Education used to be one of the most bipartisan ideas we had in Congress; there were real improvements being made student by student, but unfortunately it seems like the federal level just gave up,” said Congressman Josh Harder. “What we’ve seen with states that have taken the science of reading seriously is tremendous. Now it is time to supercharge and scale up at the federal level so children are not left behind.”
“Literacy is not political, it is foundational. Parents do not care about ideology; they care about whether their children are learning to read. The evidence is clear that when policy is grounded in research, teachers are supported, and implementation is strong, students do better.” said Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union.
“The momentum at both the federal and state levels to ensure that our nation’s kids can read is inspiring,” said Robin Berkley, Ann Kimball Johnson Director of Education at the George W. Bush Institute. “We know that student reading outcomes improve when research-based instruction is used in the classroom. Strong federal and state reading policy can make a big difference for our kids, and that is why we care so much about this issue at the George W. Bush Institute.”
Panel participants included Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds, Tennessee Commissioner of Education; Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools; McKenzie Snow, Director of the Iowa Department of Education; Dr. Fran Dundore, Executive Director of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Student Achievement; and Dr. Kymyona Burk, Senior Policy Fellow at ExcelinEd and former Mississippi State Literacy Director.
Panelists made clear that better reading outcomes require high-quality instructional materials, strong support for teachers, early intervention, regular progress monitoring, and clear expectations for schools and students. They emphasized that families need the tools and information to reinforce reading at home.
Iowa leaders pointed to an 11-point gain in third-grade English language arts proficiency and top-five growth on the 2024 NAEP, calling it proof that science-of-reading reforms can deliver real results. Other leaders highlighted curriculum alignment, transparency, and targeted support as critical drivers of progress.
###
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/