Parent and Family Resources

READ Act Video - English:

READ Act Video - Español:

• Graduation, college and career preparedness are more likely possibilities for students who master reading skills by fourth grade.
• Reading to learn enables a student to comprehend facts in social studies and science, understand word problems in math and interpret increasingly complex concepts in language arts.

• A student who misses the opportunity to learn to read proficiently before fourth grade almost never catches up.
• According to the Annie. E. Casey Foundation, students who cannot read by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, and high school drop outs make up 75 percent of citizens receiving food stamps and 90 percent of the Americans on welfare.

• Be an Advocate: Keep informed about your child's progress in reading. Ask the teacher about ways to help.

• Talk Often: The more words children hear, the better they will be at reading. Narrate your day. Talk about everything you and your child do throughout the day. Converse with your child over meal times and other times you are together. Introduce new and interesting words.
• Read Together: Read books together, spend time talking about the stories, pictures and words. Listen to audiobooks. Ask your child questions about the content. What was the subject, what did they like or not like about the book?
• Be an Example: Children learn from the habits of those around them. Read, write, listen to audiobooks and show your child the benefits of both.
• Visit the Library: Story times, special events, books, magazines, computer access, homework help and other exciting opportunities and activities await the entire family at your local library.

• If your child is At Level/On Target: If your child gets this designation from their school, it means your child is on track for meeting reading targets. You will want to ask your child's teacher about daily reading instruction. What does classroom instruction look like? What skills are they working on? What home activities can support instruction?
• If your child is At Some Risk: If your child gets this designation from their school, it means he or she has some reading skills but not all of them. Supplemental supports are needed in addition to grade-level instruction to help get your child on track. You will want to ask your child's teacher about supplemental supports. What does classroom instruction look like? What skills are they working on? What skills should my child need to have supported? What types of home activities can support instruction?

• If your child is At High Risk: If your child gets this designation from their school, it means he or she has limited or no reading skills. Intensive intervention is needed in addition to grade-level instruction to support your child to get on track. You will want to ask your child's teacher about the READ Act plan for your child and intervention services being provided. What does classroom instruction look like? What skills need to be supported for my child to be on track? What type of intervention services is being provided and how frequently? What types of home activities can support instruction?

For more information, see this Fact Sheet about the importance of early literacy and how to talk to your child's teachers about reading. 

• READ NOW Colorado
  This parent-friendly website support families to better understand what the Colorado READ Act is and tips for supporting your child's literacy journey.
• Tips for Cultivating Readers at Home
  Just like adults, children learn best when they are involved and having fun! Check out ideas from the National Center for Families Learning. These guides share great ways cultivate your child's reading in a playful way from ages birth to 8. These tips can become part of your everyday routine and your child will learn without even realizing it!
  • Tips for Cultivating Readers at Home - English (PDF)
  • Tips for Cultivating Readers at Home - Spanish (PDF)

• Checklists for Literacy Ideas at Home P-3 Grade (PDF)
  The National Institute for Literacy has developed age focused literacy ideas for home for parents of children in preschool through grade three who are getting ready or learning to read.
• Partnering with Your Child's School
  Literacy is the ability to read and write well. You and the school share responsibility for your child's language and literacy learning. Collaborate with your school to make decisions about your child's literacy education right from the start.