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.
Information for Parents
Learn more about the Colorado READ Act including how to support reading at home and how to talk to your child's teacher about their reading progress. Discover resources to support early literacy and help your child read at grade level by the end of third grade.
READ Act Resources:
Most frequently used resources by topic:
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)
- Rules for the Administration of the Colorado READ Act (PDF)
(Amended by State Board on October 11, 2017) - HB 17-1160
Legislative Report and Use of READ Act Funds:
Fact Sheets:
Early Literacy Grant:
- Early Literacy Grant Website
News:
Interim Assessment Information Webinar
The Preschool through Third Grade office at CDE is seeking your feedback on the rubric used for the approval of reading assessments under the READ Act. We will be hosting a brief webinar on November 29th, 2018, at 1PM which will provide information about the rubric and an opportunity to provide feedback online. If you cannot join live, the webinar will be recorded and posted to the READ Act page on the CDE website. Recorded webinar link.
In addition to the recorded webinar, there will be an opportunity to provide feedback at a face-to-face meeting on December 13th, 2018 at 9:00 AM. This meeting will take place in Denver at 1560 Broadway, 11th floor, Aspen rooms A and B. An online participation opportunity will be available for those who wish to attend but cannot join us in person. Space is limited. If you are interested in attending, please apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FJX8VH7
A copy of the interim assessment rubric can be viewed here.
Feedback on the rubric can be sent to Jamie Olson at olson_j@cde.state.co.us. When providing feedback, please organize notes by section on the rubric, or label feedback as "general" if comments pertain to the rubric as a whole. Feedback must be received by December 14, 2018
November is Family Literacy Month
November is Family Literacy Month, a time to emphasize the important role that families play in the education of their children. During this celebration, parents are encouraged to choose a book to read together with your children or to write letters together. For more information about National Family Literacy Month, visit this website by the National Center for Families Learning.
Understanding School Readiness and READ Plans
On Monday, November 12, 2018 at 3:30 PM, the Colorado Department of Education will host a webinar called “Understanding School Readiness and READ Plans.” This webinar will explore the requirements of CAP4K and READ Act legislations, the approved assessments for school readiness and READ plans, comparisons of the two plans and how they intersect, and making the most of the plans to support instruction. Please join us to learn more about school readiness plans and READ plans and how to use them effectively to improve outcomes for students you serve.
Submit Your Application for the Early Literacy Grant Program
(posted on October 19, 2018)
The Early Literacy Grant Program assists local education providers in embedding the essential components of reading instruction into all elements of the K-3 teaching structures in all awarded schools, including universal, targeted and intensive instructional interventions, to assist all students in achieving reading competency.
Approximately $1.2 million is available for the Early Literacy Grant Program for the 2018-2019 school year. This reflects year 1 of implementation; for the remaining years in the grant cycle up to 3.1 million is available per year. An application training webinar will be held Friday, November 2, 2018 at 2:00 PM. Please register for this technical assistance via Eventbrite here.
If interested in applying for this funding opportunity, please submit the Letter of Intent at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018ELGLOI by Friday, November 9, 2018. Applications are due December 5, 2018 at 11:59 PM.
For more information and to access the application materials please visit the link below.
http://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy/readact/grant
Apply for Inclusion as an Early Literacy Grant Implementation Consultant
(posted October 18, 2018)
The Colorado READ Act provides specific grant funding to Colorado Schools to support comprehensive literacy implementation for grades K-3. A portion of the funding awarded to each school must be allocated to select and utilize an Implementation Consultant to support their efforts throughout the duration of the Early Literacy Grant.
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit Implementation Consultants to be reviewed to meet the criteria for inclusion on the Early Literacy Grant Implementation Consultants list, pursuant to C.R.S. 22-7-1211. This is not a competitive process. Any provider which submits an application during this timeframe of solicitation and meets the criteria specified within this RFI may be considered for inclusion on the provider list. All ELG Consultant providers currently approved will need to reapply to remain on the CDE provider list.
If interested in applying for this funding opportunity, please submit the Intent Form via https://goo.gl/forms/YPx2F1DYZwL8WSJn1 by Friday, November 9, 2018. Applications are due November 19, 2018 at 11:59 PM.
For more information and to access the application materials please visit the link below.
http://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy/readact/grant
For More Information, Contact:
Alex Frazier
Office of Literacy
Phone: 303-866-6016
Email: Frazier_A@cde.state.co.us
READ Plan Working Group
(updated September 21, 2018)
This past spring, a bill was passed to convene a working group to study the creation and use of READ plans. The working group was formed under the direction of the Commissioner and will work through early 2019. The working group is comprised of educators, parents, principals, district leaders, and literacy experts and will be selected to represent districts from across the state. Learn more about this group here...
News
Family and School Partnership in Education Month Kick-Off Event 2018
Governor Hickenlooper has proclaimed October to be Family and School Partnership in Education Month for the seventh straight year. The Colorado Department of Education and the State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education are hosting a Kick-Off Event to celebrate the month. Light refreshments, mingling, and resource sharing will follow a brief formal program. All are welcome to attend. For more information, click here.
