Harrisburg, PA, July 12, 2026 —

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition today welcomed the inclusion of $10 million in early literacy funding in the FY2026-27 state budget, continuing Pennsylvania’s investment in implementing Act 47 of 2025 and advancing evidence-based reading instruction grounded in the science of reading.

“We are encouraged to see the legislature reaffirm its bipartisan commitment to early literacy through another $10 million allocation, building on the foundation established in last year’s budget,” said PA Literacy Coalition Director Rachael Garnick. “However, we still have a long way to go to make Pennsylvania a place where all children have a fair shot at learning how to read. We hope the legislature will act more boldly in the years ahead by committing to the sustained, multi-year investments needed to fully implement Act 47.”

Act 47 of 2025, the omnibus school code bill enacted as part of the FY2025-26 state budget, requires all Pennsylvania schools to adopt evidence-based literacy curricula aligned with the science of reading, provide teachers with training in structured literacy, and administer universal literacy screenings to students in grades K–3 to identify those at risk for reading difficulties. These requirements take effect at the start of the 2027–28 school year.

Reading proficiency in Pennsylvania has been declining for more than a decade, with recent results reaching record lows. According to the Nation’s Report Card, only one in three fourth-grade students are proficient in reading, including just 16% of Black and Hispanic students and 23% of low-income students. Research shows that students who are not proficient readers by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Literacy is also directly tied to workforce readiness, economic mobility, and public health, with low literacy currently estimated to cost the commonwealth an estimated $113 billion in lost earnings annually. 

Literacy gaps do not close on their own. However, states such as Mississippi and Louisiana have made dramatic gains in reading proficiency—even as national reading scores have declined—by making sustained, targeted investments in teacher training, instructional coaching, high quality curricula, and universal screening. 

“We look forward to continuing our work with lawmakers to improve literacy outcomes across Pennsylvania,” said Garnick. “As we look ahead to another school year in which too many students will begin school below grade level in reading, we will continue working on multiple fronts: securing full funding for Act 47, partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to ensure strong implementation of its new requirements, and aligning preparation and certification with the science of reading. We know from leading states as well as proof point districts across Pennsylvania what works. Now, it’s time for all of us to fully commit to doing the hard work to ensure every child has the opportunity to become a proficient reader.”

Like last year, the $10 million for literacy is included within the Mobile Science, Mathematics, and Literacy line item with the education budget. The coalition is especially grateful to Leader Topper, Representative Jason Ortitay, and the House Republican caucus for their leadership in securing these funds. In future years, the coalition will continue advocating for a recurring, dedicated line item to support structured literacy, specifically the grant program established in Section 1507-N of Act 47.

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About the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition: Led by Teach Plus Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition unites educators, families, policymakers, and community leaders in the fight to ensure all children have the literacy skills they need to thrive. The coalition advances evidence-based policy, supports aligned investment, and mobilizes communities for change. For more information, visit www.paliteracy.org.