This is a non-binding resolution that designates September 2025 as National Literacy Month. It frames reading proficiency as essential to personal growth, economic opportunity, and civic life, and it cites disparities and costs associated with illiteracy.
The resolution then calls on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities.
At a Glance
What It Does
Designates September 2025 as National Literacy Month and invites broad participation from government, schools, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals to observe with programs and activities.
Who It Affects
Affects federal agencies, state and local governments, school districts, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and the general public.
Why It Matters
Highlights literacy as a driver of opportunity and societal strength, cites pervasive gaps and economic costs of illiteracy, and anchors the observance in evidence-based reading research.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The Senate designates National Literacy Month for September 2025. The bill frames literacy as a cornerstone of personal development, economic mobility, and a healthy society, and it points to significant gaps in reading proficiency and the costs those gaps impose on taxpayers and the economy.
It also references a body of research—the science of reading—and emphasizes the need for evidence-based reading instruction and access to reading materials as fundamentals of literacy success. The resolution notes that federal literacy investments already exist through existing programs and agencies, such as those authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, and the Museum and Library Services Act.
Importantly, the measure does not create new funding or binding requirements; instead, it designates a month and calls on a wide range of actors—federal and state governments, localities, schools, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and the public—to observe National Literacy Month with suitable activities. The overall aim is to raise awareness and mobilize voluntary action to strengthen literacy outcomes across the country.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The resolution designates September 2025 as National Literacy Month.
It calls on the Federal Government, states, localities, schools, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and the public to observe with programs and activities.
It cites data on literacy gaps and the economic costs of illiteracy to justify the observance.
It references the science of reading and endorses evidence-based reading strategies.
It acknowledges existing federal investments in literacy programs under ESEA, AEFLA, and the Museum and Library Services Act.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
National Literacy Month designation
The Senate designates September 2025 as National Literacy Month and invites broad participation—across government levels, educational institutions, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and individual Americans—to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities. The text makes clear this is a commemorative observance and does not create funding or enforceable mandates.
Findings on literacy gaps
The resolution anchors the observance in findings about literacy gaps and their consequences. It cites that reading proficiency underpins economic opportunity and societal well-being, highlights disparities among students of color, low-income students, and English learners, and notes that illiteracy carries substantial costs to taxpayers and the economy.
Science of reading and evidence-based strategies
The measure references the science of reading and the effectiveness of evidence-based reading instruction and interventions—including components such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—arguing for access to quality instruction as part of literacy success.
Existing federal investments in literacy
The bill acknowledges that the federal government already supports literacy education through programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, and the Museum and Library Services Act, signaling alignment with current policy infrastructure rather than creating new programs.
Call to observance and participation
The resolution calls on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the people of the United States to observe National Literacy Month through programs and activities that advance literacy awareness and participation.
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Explore Education in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Students and families experiencing literacy challenges, who gain visibility for local support and access to resources that improve reading outcomes.
- Educators and school districts that implement literacy initiatives, benefiting from heightened focus and potential community support.
- Public libraries and library systems expanding outreach and community literacy programs.
- Employers and the broader business community that see potential productivity and workforce readiness gains from a more literate population.
- Nonprofit literacy organizations that coordinate programs and advocacy, gaining momentum and partnerships with public and private actors.
Who Bears the Cost
- Local and state governments may incur outreach and program costs to participate in National Literacy Month activities.
- School districts and schools may absorb costs for hosting literacy events and implementing evidence-based practices in observation programs.
- Public libraries may bear costs for expanding literacy outreach and materials to serve more patrons.
- Nonprofit organizations coordinating observance activities may incur administrative and program expenses.
- Businesses and other private partners may contribute time and sponsorships but do not face mandatory funding requirements under this resolution.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central tension is between recognizing literacy as a critical societal goal and the lack of concrete, funded actions to realize improvements. The bill endorses evidence-based approaches and broad participation, but without funding or mandates, the practical impact depends on voluntary commitment, which may limit reach and consistency across jurisdictions.
As a symbolic designations measure, the resolution frames literacy as a national priority and highlights the societal and economic stakes of reading proficiency. It does not authorize new funding or create legally binding requirements.
Instead, it relies on voluntary participation by government entities, educational institutions, libraries, nonprofits, and private actors. This can raise questions about the scale and effectiveness of the observance, particularly given the absence of a funding mechanism or enforceable action plan.
The focus on evidence-based reading strategies and access to reading materials is aspirational, but the resolution does not implement a specific programmatic methodology or accountability framework.
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