# Right to Read Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary

## What This Bill Does

The Right to Read Act of 2025 is a federal education bill designed to guarantee that all students have access to quality reading materials and instruction. The bill establishes a legal "right to read" and defines what schools must provide to support student literacy. It amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to add new definitions and requirements related to school libraries, reading instruction, and information literacy skills.

## Key Provisions

The bill creates several important requirements:

- **School Libraries**: Schools must maintain "effective school libraries" staffed by at least one full-time, certified school librarian plus support staff. These libraries must be open before, during, and after school with up-to-date books, digital materials, and technology.

- **Right to Read Definition**: Students have the right to access evidence-based reading instruction, effective school libraries, family literacy support, diverse and inclusive reading materials, books at home, and the freedom to choose what they read.

- **Equity Focus**: States must ensure that low-income students, minority students, students with disabilities, and English learners are not disproportionately denied access to effective school libraries, and must publicly report their progress.

- **Teacher Recognition**: School librarians are formally recognized as teachers and instructional leaders in the education system.

## Who Benefits

Students—particularly disadvantaged groups—would benefit most from these requirements. The bill also affects school districts and states, which would need to ensure compliance with new library staffing and resource standards. School librarians gain formal recognition as educators, while parents benefit from family literacy support programs.

Right to Read Act of 2025

Grijalva, Adelita S.

Right to Read Act of 2025This bill expands access to school libraries and literacy skills support for elementary and secondary school students. It also outlines certain constitutional rights and liability protections related to school libraries.Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 (1) the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program, which provides grants to ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing for children through 12th grade; and (2) the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program, which provides grants to support the development of literacy skills in low-income communities.Additionally, the bill allows Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants to be used to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in recruiting, hiring, and retaining state-certified school librarians.Further, the bill authorizes states and LEAs to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants for programs and activities that promote the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills.The Department of Education (ED) must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to biennially collect data on school libraries.ED must require an assurance from each state and LEA receiving certain funds confirming that it will (1) protect the First Amendment rights of students in school libraries, and (2) provide equal protection in the conduct of school libraries in compliance with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws.The bill also provides liability protection to teachers, school librarians, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and other staff for actions that conform with state or local policies regarding the right to read.