Colorado READ Act

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.

Learn more about the READ Act with this overview.

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

2019 READing Conference Highlighted Speaker: Steven Dykstra, PhD

Why Don't They Understand How Wrong They Are? (PPT)

In October 2019, the department hosted the 5th Annual READing conference. Steven Dykstra, Ph.D., a psychologist from Milwaukee Wisconsin, where he does writing, speaking, and advocacy on the subject of reading and literacy, was one of the keynote presenters. His presentation focused on our shared history of reading instruction - to show us how we got here, where that is, and how we might find the courage to do better.

Colorado READ Act Changes: SB19-199

After six years of implementation of the READ Act, schools and districts were not seeing the dramatic improvements in reading levels envisioned by state leaders.

Colorado has seen only a 2 percent increase in third graders meeting or exceeding expectations on the Colorado Measures of Academic Success tests in English language arts.
Statewide data shows only a 1 percent reduction in the number of students identified with a significant reading deficiency (SRD).

Reviewing the implementation of the READ Act, policy makers identified challenges that contributed to its lower-than-desired impact:

The statute defined clear allowable uses of READ Act per-pupil intervention funds, but it did not provide clarity regarding accountability for the use of funds.
Reporting requirements for the READ Act make it challenging to identify instructional programming and interventions effective in reducing the number of students identified with SRDs.
The need for increasing teacher knowledge on evidence-based practices for teaching reading. Continue reading.

SB19 199 webpage

News and Events

READ Act Instructional Programming New Rubrics - Seeking Feedback

The Colorado Department of Education is seeking feedback on the updates to the rubrics for instructional programming reviews. Read more.

READ Act Instructional Programming Reviewers Needed

The Preschool through Third Grade office at CDE is seeking reviewers to take part in the process of approving instructional programming for the READ Act advisory lists. Learn more.

READ Act Professional Development Reviewers Needed

The Preschool through Third Grade office at CDE is seeking reviewers to take part in the process of approving professional development options for the READ Act advisory lists. Learn more.

READ Act Rules Noticed

The State Board of Education noticed a rulemaking process for Rules for the Administration of the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act), 1 CCR 301-9. This update to the rules with incorporate changes to the READ Act that occurred in the 2018 and 2019 legislative sessions. The rulemaking hearing is scheduled for the February State Board of Education meeting. Read more .

READ Act Teacher Training

The Colorado Department of Education (hereafter referred to as “CDE” or “the Department”) is soliciting competitive, responsive proposals from experienced organizations to provide a professional development product on evidence-based practices in teaching reading that can be used to provide training to kindergarten, first-, second-, and third-grade teachers throughout the state of Colorado as authorized in SB19-199. This RFP seeks proposals for an in-person professional development product and an online professional development product, which may be provided by the same vendor or by two separate vendors. Read more.

Monthly READ Act Informational Webinars

In order to keep educators and other stakeholders informed of the changes in the READ Act brought about by SB19-199, CDE will host monthly informational webinars.

View prior SB19 199 webinars.

Early Literacy Grant Rules Approved

SB 19-199 amended the Colorado READ Act and incorporated changes to the Early Literacy Grant program requiring an update to the rules. The state board approved the amended rules for the administration of the Early Literacy Grant program during the September board meeting. Updates include increased funding, additional reporting requirements and training for K-3 teachers.