The Reading League Statement on the Elimination of the Department of Education
March 25, 2025 | The Reading League
The Reading League is concerned about the long-term impact that eliminating the Department of Education (DOE) will have on the critical infrastructure that supports learning in the United States.
More than 50 years of federally supported research across multiple disciplines is responsible for the findings from the science of reading. That original support led to the scientific discoveries of how proficient reading and writing develop, why some students have difficulty, and the most effective ways to assess and teach literacy skills. Organizations such as The Reading League work with educators in school districts applying evidence-aligned reading instruction, yielding positive results widely embraced by state educators and lawmakers.
Reading science has long been supported as a bipartisan issue. Both red and blue states have valued its findings, which help states make informed decisions about education. The decline in reading proficiency and the prevalence of illiteracy create a ripple effect of negative consequences, impacting economic stability, social cohesion, and individual well-being. A high literacy rate elevates the United States in the global economy. Addressing literacy challenges is crucial for building a prosperous future.
Currently, only three out of 10 students in America read at grade level – a crisis that demands more investment in evidence-based literacy initiatives, not less. The DOE provides essential data and funding that drive research-backed instructional practices, ensuring educators can teach reading effectively.
The Reading League is committed to its mission to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. Ensuring that all students in America achieve grade-level reading proficiency must be a national priority, requiring rigorous, sustained investment and strong leadership.
About The Reading League
The Reading League aims to increase stakeholder knowledge of evidence-aligned approaches to teaching reading and research that demystifies how people learn to read. We train and support educators and school leaders. We believe that all children deserve to learn to read, and all teachers can learn to teach them.
Contact: Byron McCauley, Public Relations Director, media@thereadingleague.org