2025 READ Act Professional Development Review Process

Background:

The Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) focuses on early literacy development for all students kindergarten through third grade and especially for students at risk of not reaching grade level proficiency in reading by the end of third grade. Included in the READ Act is the requirement that the department create an advisory list of evidence-based or scientifically based instructional programming in reading, pursuant to C.R.S. 22-7-1209.

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 programs to be reviewed for inclusion on the Colorado Department of Education READ Act Advisory List.

The Early Literacy and School Readiness Office READ Act Team will be conducting reviews of professional development that meets the requirements of SB22-004 to provide evidence-based training in teaching reading for reading interventionists serving grades 4-12 and evidence-based training designed for school administrators in the science of reading.

The 2025 Professional Development Review process will begin January 14, 2025.

Process:

The CDE process for the review of professional development materials for inclusion on the READ Act Advisory List of Professional Development follows these steps:

Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply
Part II - Professional Development Review
Professional Development must meet the Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply criteria to receive the Part II - Professional Development Review application from CDE.
Appeal Window
Professional Development posted on the CDE website

Note: To be included on the READ Act Advisory List of Professional Development, professional development must be reviewed during this review window.

Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply

The Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply for inclusion on the provider list for professional development is now open. CDE is reviewing professional development that meets the requirements of SB22-004 for two categories:

Evidence-Based Administrator Training
Evidence-Based Teacher Training

Vendors interested in submitting professional development for the 2025 READ Act Professional Development Review must submit a Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply by Friday, January 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM MT. Vendors who do not submit a Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply will not be eligible to submit professional development for review.

Due to the complexity of the application process, vendors interested in submitting a Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply must attend one of the webinar sessions to determine which Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply to complete.

Thursday, January 16, 1:00-2:00 pm MT View Webinar Recording

Tuesday, January 21, 1:00-2:00 pm MT Zoom Registration Link

Evidence-Based Adminisrator Training

2025 Evidence-Based Administrator Training Letter of Intent to Apply (DOCX)

Submit Administrator Training Letter of Intent to Apply

Evidence-Based Teacher Training

2025 Evidence-Based Teacher Training Letter of Intent to Apply (DOCX)

Submit Teacher Training Letter of Intent to Apply

All Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply submissions are due Friday, January 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM MT.

Professional Development Review Timeline

January 14, 2025: Vendor Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply Window Opens
January 24, 2025: Vendor Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply Window Closes
February 3, 2025: Vendor Part II - Professional Development Application Window Opens
February 28, 2025: Vendor Part II - Professional Development Application Window Closes
March 3-28, 2025: CDE Review of Professional Development Applications
March 28-April 11, 2025: Vendor Appeal Submission Window
April 14-May 12, 2025: CDE Review of Appeal Submissions
May 12, 2025: Advisory List of Professional Development Posted to CDE Website

*Please note: If unforeseen circumstances arise, the review window may be adjusted.

For questions, please contact READAct@cde.state.co.us.