The Senate passed the Reading Excellence Act by voice vote October 6, authorizing $260 million for children's literacy efforts. The grants, targeted to high-poverty areas, would go over the next two years to state literacy efforts as well as tutoring programs and teacher training in local school districts, the Associated Press reported.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) said the legislation "provides children, parents, schools, and communities with the resources and opportunities they need to improve child and family literacy,"
The measure, a compromise between bills approved earlier by the House and Senate, is expected to be approved by the House before Congress adjourns.