Join GCE-US to ensure passage of the READ Act Reauthorization Act before the end of the 118th Congress! Download our Action Week Toolkit to access all of the resources you need to take action. 

The READ Act Reauthorization Act is a reauthorization of the original READ Act of 2017, an important bill that protects the U.S. Government's international basic education strategy and ensures congressional oversight, transparency, and other accountability measures. The five-year bipartisan, bicameral READ Act of 2017 expired on September 30, 2023. The READ Act Reauthorization Act would reauthorize this important bill for an additional five years, continuing current U.S. efforts to ensure equal access to quality, inclusive education for children and youth throughout the world.    

Specifically, the READ Act calls for:

• U.S. engagement with key partner countries, other donors, civil society, the private sector, and multilateral global education initiatives, such as the Global Partnership for Education, to promote sustainable, quality basic education.
• A comprehensive, integrated U.S. strategy that improves educational opportunities and addresses key barriers to school attendance, retention, and completion for the poorest children worldwide.
• The creation of a “Senior Coordinator” within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) responsible for the development, implementation, and coordination of U.S. basic education programs.
• An annual report to Congress on implementation of the basic education strategy and progress achieved by USAID programs.

Learn more:

READ Act Reauthorization Fact Sheet

H.R.681 - READ Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 in the House of Representatives

S.41 - READ Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 in the Senate