# Plain Language Summary of H. RES. 163

This is a resolution expressing support for a national goal that virtually all American students should be able to read at grade level. It's not a law that requires anything—it's more like an official statement of what Congress thinks schools should aim for. The resolution argues that reading proficiency is critical because students who fall behind in reading often struggle throughout their lives, facing challenges in finding jobs, higher education, and other opportunities.

The resolution identifies what it calls a literacy crisis in America, claiming that over 50 percent of eighth graders are reading below grade level. It points out that this problem has existed for decades and got worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. The underlying message is that if kids can't read well by the time they reach middle school, they're likely to face a difficult future—and the resolution suggests this creates a cycle where struggling readers become adults who struggle economically and socially.

To address this, the resolution encourages schools to use specific reading instruction methods that focus on phonics and decoding skills, and it recommends one-on-one tutoring five days a week for students who are behind. It also encourages state and local governments to partner with private organizations that have proven literacy programs. Additionally, the resolution suggests creating adult literacy programs to help adults who read below an eighth-grade level, recognizing that the problem extends beyond just children.

It's important to note that this resolution doesn't mandate anything or provide funding—it's essentially Congress saying "this is what we think should happen." Schools and districts would need to decide whether and how to implement these recommendations based on their own resources and priorities.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the goal of education in schools across America shall be that virtually every student in the United States achieves grade-level reading proficiency, providing them with the foundation to develop the skills and knowledge needed for success in school, work, and life.

Huizenga, Bill

<p>This resolution recognizes the goal of education in U.S. schools as that of ensuring that&nbsp;virtually every student achieves grade-level reading proficiency. It also encourages state and local governments, including educational agencies, to collaborate with private organizations that offer proven literacy programs to (1) identify and implement effective solutions to address illiteracy, and (2) create adult literacy initiatives for adults with reading skills below an 8th grade level.</p>