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H.R. 2614 105th Congress House

Reading Excellence Act

Official title: To improve the reading and literacy skills of children and families by improving in-service instructional practices for teachers who teach reading, to stimulat… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To improve the reading and literacy skills of children and families by improving in-service instructional practices for teachers who teach reading, to stimulate the development of more high-quality family literacy programs, to support extended learning-time opportunities for children, to ensure that children can read well and independently not later than third grade, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 6, 1997 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 25 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 7, 1998
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 6, 1998
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 6, 1998
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 6, 1998
The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 6, 1998
Amendment SP 3740 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 6, 1998
Amendment SP 3740 proposed by Senator Jeffords.
Oct 6, 1998
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11533-11539)
Jun 10, 1998
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 404.
Jun 10, 1998
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Jeffords with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 105-208.
May 13, 1998
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Apr 28, 1998
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held.
Nov 9, 1997
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Nov 8, 1997
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 8, 1997
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Nov 8, 1997
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Nov 8, 1997
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate.
Nov 8, 1997
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10386-10398)
Nov 8, 1997
Mr. Goodling moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Oct 24, 1997
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 202.
Oct 24, 1997
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 105-348.
Oct 22, 1997
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Oct 22, 1997
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 7, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1945-1946)
Oct 6, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Oct 6, 1997
Introduced in House
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 3,740 – In the nature of a substitute. Agreed to Oct 6, 1998
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 Latest action October 7, 1998

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Reading and Literacy Grants

Title II: Amendments to Even Start Family Literacy Programs

Title III: Repeals

Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments

Reading Excellence Act - Title I: Reading and Literacy Grants - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish a new title II part C Reading and Literacy Grants program.

(Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to make subgrants for local reading improvement programs and tutorial assistance programs.

Provides for peer review panel evaluation of SEA grant applications.

Requires State establishment of a reading and literacy partnership as a condition for an SEA's receiving such a grant.

Limits the portions of such grants which may be used for State administrative costs and for tutorial assistance subgrants.

Requires SEAs that receive such grants to make competitive two-year local reading improvement subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) with: (1) at least one school that is identified for school improvement; (2) the largest, or second largest, number of children in comparison to all other LEAs in the State; or (3) the highest, or second highest, school-age child poverty rate, in comparison to all other LEAs in the State. Allows subgrantees to train, on a fee-for-service basis, personnel from schools or LEAs that are not subgrant recipients or beneficiaries, in the instructional practices based on scientifically-based reading research used by the recipient.

Requires each SEA that receives such a grant to make at least one competitive tutorial assistance subgrant to LEAs with: (1) at least one school located in an empowerment zone or an enterprise community; (2) at least one school identified for school improvement; (3) the largest, or second largest, number of children in comparison to all other LEAs in the State; or (4) the highest, or second highest, school-age child poverty rate, in comparison to all other LEAs in the State. Sets forth authorized uses of such subgrants.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a national assessment of programs under this Act; (2) receive recommendations from the peer review panel in developing the criteria for the assessment; and (3) report on the assessment to the appropriate congressional committees.

Requires the National Institute for Literacy to disseminate information on reliable, replicable research on reading and on subgrantee projects that have proven effective.

Requires each SEA that receives such a grant to: (1) evaluate subgrantees success; and (2) submit the findings of the evaluations and performance reports to the Secretary, who will submit a summary to the appropriate congressional committees.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000.

Title II: Amendments to Even Start Family Literacy Programs - Amends ESEA to direct the Secretary to award competitive grants to States for the planning and implementation of statewide family literacy initiatives, including specified services.

(Sec. 203) Requires grant recipients to: (1) provide technical assistance for the evaluation of subgrant recipient local programs; and (2) develop indicators of program quality.

(Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to do research through grant or contract into successful family literacy services to improve the quality of existing programs and to develop models for new programs. Revises provisions for the dissemination of information.

Title III: Repeals - Repeals certain unfunded education programs under various Federal laws.

(Sec. 301) Repeals the Community School Partnership Act (contained in the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994).

Repeals specified provisions of the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 for a teacher research dissemination demonstration program.

Repeals provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) for: (1) innovative elementary school transition projects; (2) the De Lugo territorial education improvement program; (3) extended time for learning and longer school year; and (4) territorial assistance.

Repeals the Family and Community Endeavor Schools Act.

Repeals specified provisions of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act for grants for the study, evaluation, and analysis of education systems in other nations.

Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to various Federal laws.

 Bill text 6 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2614: Reading Excellence Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2614/
MLA
"H.R. 2614: Reading Excellence Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2614/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2614, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2614/.
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[H.R. 2614: Reading Excellence Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2614/)
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