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Colorado READ Act
Resource Highlight: READ Act & English Learners Guidance
Recognizing the unique language and literacy needs of English Learners to become proficient readers in English, the Colorado Department of Education has created guidance for implementation of the READ Act with English Learners. This guidance is designed to provide parameters for districts to use when developing local policies and practices to support the literacy development of English Learners. This includes READ Act and English Learners guidance for assessment and determination of a significant reading deficiency in grades K-3. Find READ Act requirements for assessing English learners, considerations for selecting the language of assessment, determining a significant reading deficiency, and program considerations.
K – 3 Teacher Evidence-Based Reading Training Requirements
Colorado school districts are required to ensure all K - 3 teachers complete evidence-based training in teaching reading as a result of changes to the Colorado READ Act in SB 19-199 (PDF).
Learn about the hour, content and assessment requirements to complete this training and the various training options that are available for K-3 teachers.
Preschool through 3rd grade literacy team office hours
Regional Support Launch
The Elementary Literacy and School Readiness Office (ELSR), formerly the Preschool through Third Grade Office, at the Colorado Department of Education is transitioning back to providing regional consulting. The ELSR Regional Literacy Consultants will support assigned districts with READ Act implementation, including guidance related to scientifically and evidence-based literacy instruction.
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ELSR Literacy Team Office Hours
The Literacy Team in the Office of Elementary Literacy will host office hours twice a month on Thursdays from 3-4 p.m. to discuss topics related to the READ Act.
Learn More and Register
School Administrator Training
The amendments to the READ Act (SB19-199 and SB22-004) require that K-3 teachers who provide literacy instruction, 4-12 reading interventionists, and school administrators (including principals) must complete training to meet the requirements of the READ Act.
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Live READ Act Informational Webinars
The Office of Elementary Literacy and School Readiness will host monthly live informational webinars to provide updates on the READ Act teacher and school administrator trainings.
Learn More and Register
Keys to Beginning Reading Summer Registration Available
The CDE-provided face-to-face reading training is now available for registration for Summer 2023. To learn more, please click the button below.
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About the Colorado READ Act
The Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (Colorado READ Act) was passed by the Colorado legislature in 2012, giving the state the guiding philosophy, structure and resources to get children reading at grade level by the time they enter the fourth grade.
Stay Informed
Please sign up for the READ Act communication list in order to stay informed of changes and updates related to SB19-199, READ Act Implementation Measures. CDE will announce ways to participate and provide your feedback throughout the implementation process.
Sign up for the READ Act communication list
News and Events
2023 READ Act Professional Development Review
The READ Act requires the department to create an advisory list of evidence-based or scientifically-based instructional programming in reading for use by local education agencies. During each review cycle, new providers have the opportunity to be added to the advisory list. The review is a two part process for vendors to submit professional development to be reviewed for inclusion on the Colorado Department of Education READ Act Advisory List.
For more information on the review process please visit 2023 READ Act Professional Development Review Process.
Approved Professional Development
The next professional development review is anticipated to be conducted in 2025.
2022 READ Act Assessment Review
The READ Act requires the department to create an advisory list of assessments for local education agencies to choose from to administer to students in grades K-3 to meet the requirements of the READ Act. The review is a two part process for vendors to submit interim, diagnostic and summative assessments to be reviewed for inclusion on the READ Act Advisory List of Assessments. For more information please visit 2022 READ Act Advisory List of Assessments Review Process.
READ Act Parent Survey
We would like to hear from parents about their own and their child's experience with the Colorado READ Act and its observed impact. As you may know, this survey is being conducted as part of a six-year evaluation of the Colorado READ (Reading to Ensure Academic Development) Act. The READ Act provides funding and a framework for addressing literacy for kindergartners through third-graders, particularly those with “Significant Reading Deficiencies” (SRDs) who are at risk to not read at grade level by third grade. This evaluation, which began in March 2020, was mandated by the state legislature and is being conducted by an independent research team led by WestEd that includes APA Consulting and RTI International. If you could please share the following language and survey link, we would really appreciate it. If you have any questions, please email coreadactproject@wested.org.Thank you in advance for your participation in this parent survey.
Parent Survey Link:
https://westedk12enterprise.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dpvffMKU1iVRcpg
2021-2022 READ Act Instructional Program Review
The READ Act requires the department to create an advisory list of evidence-based or scientifically-based instructional programming in reading for use by local education agencies. During each review cycle, new providers have the opportunity to be added to the advisory list. The review is a two part process for vendors to submit instructional programs, core, supplemental and intervention, to be reviewed for inclusion on the Colorado Department of Education READ Act Advisory List. For more information please visit 2021-2022 READ Act Instructional Programming Review Process.
Advisory List of Instructional Programming
The next instructional programming review will be conducted during the 2023-2024 school year.
Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD)
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Colorado a $16 million grant to implement the Colorado Comprehensive Literacy Project, which aims to advance literacy skills for children from birth to grade 12 with special emphasis on children living in poverty, English learners and children with disabilities.
Frequently Accessed Resources
Literacy Standards
Early Literacy Grant
Financial information on schools and districts throughout Colorado. Learn more about financial transparency.
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Fax: 303-830-0793
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UPDATED
May 15, 2023
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