Colorado READ Act

Teacher Reading to Students

Evidence-Based Reading Training Requirements

Colorado school districts are required to ensure all K - 3 teachers and 4 - 12 reading interventionists complete evidence-based training in teaching reading as a result of changes to the Colorado READ Act in SB 19-199 (PDF). Beginning in the 2024-2025 budget year and thereafter, districts are also required to submit evidence that each principal and administrator, as defined in Rules for the Administration of the Colorado READ Act, has successfully completed evidence-based training in the science of reading (SB 22-004 (PDF)). Learn about the hour, content, assessment requirements and pathways for these trainings by visiting the links below.

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Training Requirements

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Training Requirements

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of Completion

Science of Reading Literacy Series

The Elementary Literacy and School Readiness office at CDE is developing a series of turnkey professional development options for districts to use to support implementation of evidence-based practices in the Science of Reading. The Science of Reading Literacy Series will begin with a focus on six instructional routines that address each of the components of literacy and oral language.

Learn More and Access Resource

Biliteracy Professional Development Series

This self-paced course is designed to provide participants with evidence-based strategies for teaching students in English and Spanish while working towards bilingualism and biliteracy. This open-source training is designed for anyone interested in learning more about best practices in providing biliteracy instruction in Spanish and English. Additional instructional implementation resources are provided.

Access the Biliteracy PD Series

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.

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READ Act Regional Meetings

The Office of Elementary Literacy and School Readiness will host quarterly regional support meetings to provide updates on READ Act resources, share collaborative work with other CDE offices, and provide time for READ leads to connect about READ Act implementation.

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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. The Office of Elementary Literacy and School Readiness has several resources designed to support understanding of the Colorado READ Act.

Learn More about the Colorado READ Act

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

2023-2024 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.

The 2023-2024 Instructional Program review cycle will open on October 16, 2023. For more information please visit 2023-2024 READ Act Instructional Programming Review Process.

Advisory List of Instructional Programming

READ Act Evaluation Reports

During the 2019 legislative session the Colorado READ Act was amended to require the Department to contract with an independent evaluator to provide independent evaluations of the use of per-pupil intervention money and money received through the Early Literacy Grant program by local education providers and to determine whether the student outcomes achieved are meeting the intent of the law.

WestEd, as the selected independent evaluator, presents summary results annually to the field on the independent evaluation.

For more information please visit READ Act Implementation Evaluation.

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.

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.