Mathematica Provides Input to Senator Cassidy on Child Literacy

Mathematica provided feedback on a report released by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on declining child literacy in the United States. 

Mathematica’s response focused on how existing federal or state programs or funding streams can support implementation of evidence-based practices, such as the science of reading, to improve child literacy.

Mathematica recommended building on two currently authorized federal programs within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) – the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) and the Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) – that have “a substantial track record of providing information, training, and other support for practices based on the science of reading.”

Mathematica also suggested that the federal government encourage states and districts to use Title II-A resources under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to support educators’ professional development on strategies based in the science of reading, including through WWC and REL products and trainings. 

Finally, Mathematica urged that the federal government support development, testing, and scaling of innovations based in the science of reading in ED’s Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program. Mathematica’s response suggested prioritizing such literacy innovations in an upcoming grant competition. 

“With a competitive priority for literacy, the EIR program could support development, testing, and scaling of literacy innovations based on the science of reading that complement and reinforce classroom instruction, such as family–child literacy programs and out-of-school-time activities,” Mathematica wrote.