The READ Act
The Colorado Reading To Ensure Academic Development Act (Colorado READ Act) was passed by the Colorado Legislature during the 2012 legislative session. The READ Act repeals the Colorado Basic Literacy Act (CBLA) as of July 1, 2013, keeping many of the elements of CBLA such as a focus on K-3 literacy, assessment, and individual plans for students reading below grade level.
The READ Act differs from CBLA by focusing on students identified as having a significant reading deficiency, delineating requirements for parent communication, and providing funding to support intervention. Other components of the Colorado READ Act include a competitive Early Literacy Grant and a resource bank of assessments, instructional programming, and professional development.
Frequently Accessed Resources
READ Act Statute and State Board Rules:
- House Bill 12-1238: The Colorado READ Act (PDF) (updated September 2018)
- House Bill 18-1393 (amendments to the READ Act May 2018)
- House Bill 17-1160 (amendments to the READ Act May 2017)
- Rules for the Administration of the Colorado READ Act (PDF)
- (Amended by State Board on October 11, 2017)
Information for Parents:
Legislative Report and Use of READ Act Funds:
READ Plan Working Group
The Colorado Literacy Framework
- Learn more about the Colorado Literacy Framework.
Literacy Standards
- Elementary Teacher Literacy Standards (revised 2016)
- CAS Reading, Writing, and Communicating
- Minimum K-3 Literacy Skills Matrix
Fact Sheets:
Early Literacy Grant:
-
Early Literacy Grant Website
News:
Submit Your Application for the Annual Literacy Professional Development Grant Program
View more information and access the application materials.
Interim Assessment review
On March 14, 2019 CDE staff presented to the State Board of Education the new process outlined in HB 18-1393 for adding to the approved list of assessments authorized under the READ Act. At that time, CDE staff did not recommend adding new assessments to the list. Instead, over the next few months, CDE staff will engage the State Board of Education in a discussions about the number of assessments that should be on the list and other criteria the State Board would like to consider in addition to technical adequacy for inclusion on the list. We anticipate that a determination about the list will be made by the fall of 2019.
READ Act Rule Changes
CDE is in the process of finalizing draft rule changes made to the READ Act in HB18-1393 during the 2018 legislative session. A markup copy of the program rules can be found here and can be used for reference.
