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Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act)

The purpose of the READ Act is to ensure all children can read at grade level by the end of third grade, and ultimately graduate from high school having attained skills that adequately prepare them for post-secondary studies or for the workforce. Research shows that reading at or above grade level by third grade is a critical milestone; if students do not read on grade level by third grade, they are likely to fall behind in all subject areas and are at high risk for dropping out of high school.

The Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) was passed by the Colorado legislature and went into effect on July 1, 2013. This law focuses on K-3 literacy development and includes requirements for assessment, individualized READ plans for students reading Significantly Below Grade Level (SBGL), and specifics around parent communication and involvement. CDE will be collecting READ Act information yearly. DPS currently supports Istation as its READ Act assessment in grades K-8 and Reading Inventory (RI) in grades 6 – 12. STAR Early Literacy, STAR Reader, i-Ready, and DIBELS are also approved for use within DPS.

READ Act: An Overview | How Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Work Together

Early literacy — which DPS defines as reading, writing, speaking and listening — is essential to building a strong foundation for success in school and in life. Research shows that students who are reading and writing proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to graduate.

State law (the READ Act) requires all kindergarten, first-, second- and third-graders be tested to ensure students are making progress toward reading on grade level by third grade. DPS students take these tests a minimum of three times – at the beginning, middle and end of the school year.

Resources

Supporting Early Literacy at Home: A Guide for Families
English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Amharic | Arabic | Burmese | Nepali | Russian | Somali | French

Other Resources to Support Literacy At Home
Lion Database | Overdrive | Be a Learning Hero | ¡Colorín Colorado! | Study Blue: Free Apps for Studying | National PTA Standards Parent Guides | Scholastic: Parents

Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS/IDEL)
English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Amharic | Arabic | Burmese | Nepali | Russian | Somali | French

i-Ready
English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Amharic | Arabic | Burmese | Nepali | Russian | Somali | French

Istation
English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Amharic | Arabic | Burmese | Nepali | Russian | Somali | French

Reading Inventory (RI)
English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Amharic | Arabic | Burmese | Nepali | Russian | Somali | French

STAR (STAR Early Literacy and STAR Reading)
English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Amharic | Arabic | Burmese | Nepali | Russian Somali | French

General Assessment Resources
Assessment Purposes and District Policies
DPS Assessment Strategy
Assessment Window Calendar

Administration Windows 2021-22

Fall
Grades 1-12: August 23, 2021 – October 22, 2021

Kindergarten: October 1, 2021 – November 30, 2021

Midyear
Grades K-12: January 4, 2022 – February 18, 2022

Spring
Grades K-12: May 2, 2022 – May 31, 2022


Deadline for fall READ plan creation/submission: November 29, 2022 (Grades 1-12); January 4, 2022 (Kindergarten)
Deadline for midyear READ plan creation/updates: March 11, 2022 (all grade levels)
Deadline for spring  READ plan updates/closeouts/Bridge Plans: June 3, 2022 (all grade levels)