The READ Act strengthens literacy instruction in American schools by amending federal grant programs to emphasize teaching methods grounded in cognitive science research, commonly called the "science of reading." The bill requires states receiving federal literacy grants to implement universal early reading screenings by third grade, provide evidence-based interventions like tutoring for struggling readers, and ensure teacher training aligns with scientific reading research that emphasizes phonics, phonemic awareness, and comprehension. States must allocate at least 75 percent of grant funds to local schools and direct at least 15 percent toward early childhood programs, 40 percent to kindergarten through fifth grade, and 40 percent to grades six through twelve. The legislation mandates that states evaluate teacher preparation programs for alignment with reading science and guarantees that federal funding only supplements rather than replaces existing state and local spending. The bill also directs the Institute of Education Sciences to conduct research on effective reading instruction and requires states to report annually to the federal government on student screening rates, teacher professional development participation, and adoption of recommended instructional materials, with results made publicly available.