Summer Meals and Learning Act of 2026

This legislation establishes a new competitive federal grant program, administered by the Secretary of Education, to support summer early reading programs. The grants are awarded to State library administrative agencies , which then distribute subgrants to eligible local educational agencies. To qualify for subgrants, local educational agencies must operate schools participating in federal summer lunch programs, such as the Summer Food Service Program or the Seamless Summer Option. Additionally, at least 50 percent of students in prekindergarten through third grade at these schools must be reading below grade level or be at risk of doing so. The subgrants fund "summer early reading programs" that are at least six weeks long, held at summer lunch sites, and provide students with access to school libraries and literacy activities. Eligible local educational agencies are required to partner with community organizations to develop and implement these programs. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out these initiatives, with reporting requirements for all grant and subgrant recipients.