The Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act, known as the Colorado READ Act, was passed by the Colorado Legislature in 2012, giving the state the guiding philosophy, structure and resources to ensure children are reading at grade-level by the time they enter fourth grade in order to graduate from high school having attained skills that prepare them for post-secondary studies or the workforce. The READ Act has since undergone various updates to help improve reading outcomes in Colorado.  The Colorado READ Act is preventative in nature and focuses on early literacy programs, resources for both teachers and students, early screening, and individualized READ Plans for students. 

DIBELS is now the DPS-supported READ Act Assessment. STAR Early Literacy, STAR Reader, i-Ready, and iStation are also approved for use within DPS.

READ Act: An Overview READ Act: Information for Parents/Caregivers

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.

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.

Visit the Literacy Curriculum Transparency Dashboard - This dashboard provides all stakeholders a state, district, school, and grade level view of Core literacy instruction, Supplemental programming, and Intervention curriculum, in addition to available services and supports, the number of students who have READ plans, and the number of students who have achieved grade-level reading competency.