BEC applauds the inclusion of the READ Act Reauthorization Act in the National Defense Authorization Act, passed by the House of Representatives on December 11 and the Senate today.
Introduced by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Grace Meng (D-NY), and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 will reauthorize the READ Act of 2017 for an additional five years. The legislation calls for a whole of government strategy to improve foundational literacy and numeracy in basic education and requires a yearly report to Congress and the public.
Originally signed into law in 2017, the READ Act will continue efforts to equitably expand access to basic education for children around the world. The original READ Act required the U.S. to prioritize work with partner countries, other donors, multilateral institutions, the private sector, and nongovernmental and civil society organizations, including faith-based organizations, to promote quality basic education through programs and activities that:
1. respond to the needs of developing countries to achieve improvements in literacy;
2. strengthen education systems and expands access to safe learning;
3. promote education as a foundation for sustained economic growth; and
4. monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and quality of basic education programs in partner countries.
Since the READ Act was enacted, the United States Government has made tremendous progress advancing quality basic education around the world. In FY22 alone, basic education programs reached over 32 million learners in 97 countries around the world, distributed over 12 million textbooks and other learning materials, and trained and provided professional development to more than 820,000 teachers and educators.
We thank congressional champions, staff, and fellow advocates for their support of this vital piece of legislation. Thanks to its passage, we can look forward to working together to improve quality education for children around the world for an additional five years!