Houchin legislation to focus on phonics reading education

Legislation introduced by area congresswoman Erin Houchin meant to improve reading proficiency has advanced in the U.S. House.

Houchin announced last week that the Science of Reading Act has been approved by the House Education and Workforce Committee. A bi-partisan bill, it would ensure that federal education funding supports proven methods to help students read. It would promote instruction grounded in phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing and would discourage other approaches. The bill would the Elementary and Secondary Education Act would ensure state literacy plans reflect what it calls evidence-based approaches.

In a statement released by Houchin, she said “The Science of Reading Act gets us back to the basics and ensures our classrooms are equipped with the proven, phonics-based methods to effectively teach all students to read. “

Houchin, a Salem Republican represents the Ninth Congressional District in Indiana which locally includes part of Bartholomew County, as well as all of Brown, Jackson, Jennings and Decatur counties.