An early literacy reform bill approved by the Massachusetts House of Representatives has intensified debate over whether some school districts and the creators of a controversial reading curriculum are seeking alternative routes to state approval.

Science-of-reading advocates describe the activity as a "back-door effort," while supporters of the curriculum reject that and say the program is being scapegoated amid statewide declines in reading scores.

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Rep. Ken Gordon, the House's point person on education policy, said the curriculum would face an uphill battle under early literacy legislation passed unanimously in the House last month. The bill requires all districts to adopt state-approved, phonics-based materials.

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