US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

20 U.S.C. § 6646

Innovative approaches to literacy

(a)

In general

section 6621(2) of this titleFrom amounts reserved under , the Secretary may award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities for the purposes of promoting literacy programs that support the development of literacy skills in low-income communities, including—
(1)
developing and enhancing effective school library programs, which may include providing professional development for school librarians, books, and up-to-date materials to high-need schools;
(2)
early literacy services, including pediatric literacy programs through which, during well-child visits, medical providers trained in research-based methods of early language and literacy promotion provide developmentally appropriate books and recommendations to parents to encourage them to read aloud to their children starting in infancy; and
(3)
programs that provide high-quality books on a regular basis to children and adolescents from low-income communities to increase reading motivation, performance, and frequency.
(b)

Definitions

In this section:
(1)

Eligible entity

The term “eligible entity” means—
(A)
a local educational agency in which 20 percent or more of the students served by the local educational agency are from families with an income below the poverty line;
(B)
a consortium of such local educational agencies;
(C)
the Bureau of Indian Education; or
(D)
an eligible national nonprofit organization.
(2)

Eligible national nonprofit organization

The term “eligible national nonprofit organization” means an organization of national scope that—
(A)
is supported by staff, which may include volunteers, or affiliates at the State and local levels; and
(B)
demonstrates effectiveness or high-quality plans for addressing childhood literacy activities for the population targeted by the grant.

Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2226Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2002129 Stat. 1944(, as added , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 107–110Prior sections 6646 to 6650 were omitted in the general amendment of this subchapter by .

Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2206Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3625Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 101(b)(2)]112 Stat. 2681–337Section 6646, , as added , , ; amended , , , 2681–406, related to priority for professional development in mathematics and science.

Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2207Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3625Section 6647, , as added , , , related to State-level activities.

Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2208Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3626Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(e) [title VII, § 709(b)(3)(A)]110 Stat. 3009–233Section 6648, , as added , , ; amended , , , 3009–313, related to local plan and application for improving teaching and learning.

Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2209Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3628Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(e) [title VII, § 709(b)(3)(A)]110 Stat. 3009–233Section 6649, , as added , , ; amended , , , 3009–313, related to local cost-sharing.

Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2210Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3629Section 6650, , as added , , , related to local allocation of funds and allowable activities.

Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2151Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201115 Stat. 1635Pub. L. 114–95, § 5129 Stat. 1806Prior section 6651, , as added , , , related to national activities of demonstrated effectiveness, prior to repeal by , title II, § 2002, , , 1913, effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs.

Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2211Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101108 Stat. 3632Pub. L. 107–110Another prior section 6651, , as added , , , related to higher education activities, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95section 6301 of this titleSection effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under .