HR6440-119

What This Bill Does

The Right to Read Act of 2025 amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to make school libraries, certified school librarians, digital literacy, information literacy, and student access to reading materials part of federal education policy. It defines an effective school library as one staffed by support staff and at least one full-time State-certified school librarian who is an instructional leader, information specialist, and teacher; is open before, during, and after the school day; has up-to-date digital and print materials and technology; provides facilities, connectivity, and library and literacy instruction; trains teachers and library staff; supports collaboration; and follows national professional standards. Title I changes require State plans to address whether low-income students, minority students, students with disabilities, and English learners are disproportionately enrolled in schools lacking effective libraries, to report progress publicly, to include digital and information literacy in academic standards alignment, and to maintain a right-to-read policy notified to local educational agencies, Indian Tribes, schools, educators, parents, and the public. Local plans must explain how they will support and improve effective school libraries and access. Title II changes authorize $500,000,000 annually for literacy grants and $100,000,000 annually for related grants from FY2026 through FY2030, add school-library support, librarian recruitment and retention, and training for librarians, teachers, leaders, paraprofessionals, and library staff. NCES must collect biennial school-library data and report to Congress. Teachers, school librarians, leaders, paraprofessionals, and staff receive liability protection for actions under right-to-read policies. State and local educational agencies receiving ESEA funds must assure they will protect First Amendment rights in school libraries and equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws.

Who Benefits and How

Students benefit from stronger access to effective school libraries, varied reading materials, digital literacy, information literacy, and First Amendment protections. Low-income students, minority students, students with disabilities, and English learners benefit from State reporting on disproportionate lack of effective libraries. State-certified school librarians benefit from statutory recognition, recruitment and retention support, training, and liability protection. Teachers, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and library staff benefit from training and liability protections. State and local educational agencies benefit from grant funding for literacy and library programs. Policymakers and library advocates benefit from biennial NCES data.

Who Bears the Burden and How

State educational agencies and local educational agencies must update Title I plans, right-to-read policies, public reporting, parent and public notices, library planning, and constitutional-rights assurances. Schools must support effective library access and may need certified librarians, materials, technology, facilities, training, and collaboration time. NCES and the Education Department must collect biennial data and report to Congress. Federal taxpayers fund $600,000,000 annually in authorized grants plus data collection. School boards must exercise library decisions consistent with First Amendment and equal-protection obligations.

Key Provisions

• Defines effective school library and requires certified school librarian staffing, materials, technology, access, training, collaboration, and professional standards.
• Amends Title I State plans to address disproportionate lack of effective libraries for low-income students, minority students, students with disabilities, and English learners.
• Requires State right-to-read policies and notification to local agencies, Tribes, schools, educators, parents, and the public.
• Authorizes $500,000,000 annually for literacy grants and $100,000,000 annually for related grants from FY2026 through FY2030.
• Adds Title II support for school libraries, librarian recruitment and retention, and training for librarians, teachers, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and staff.
• Requires NCES biennial school-library data collection and congressional reports.
• Provides liability protections for educators acting under right-to-read policies.
• Requires constitutional-rights assurances protecting student First Amendment and equal-protection rights in school libraries.