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Teacher Evidence-Based Reading Training FAQs
Overview
Our staff has received numerous inquiries regarding the evidence-based training in teaching reading requirements in the READ Act. In response, we have created the K-3 Teacher and 4-12 interventionist Evidence-Based Training in Teaching Reading Training FAQ webpage to provide timely information on the most frequently asked questions. Please submit additional questions to the READ Act Teacher Training Team at ReadActTraining@cde.state.co.us.
Jump to a section:
Who must complete the evidence-based training in teaching reading?
Amendments to the READ Act (SB19-199 and SB22-004) require that K-3 teachers who provide literacy instruction, 4-12 reading interventionists, and school administrators (including principals) must complete training to meet the requirements of the READ Act.
Definitions:
- Reading Interventionist: An individual employed to teach students and whose primary job duties include providing reading intervention to students on READ Act Plans during regular school hours to supplement core academic instruction and who is employed in any of grades K-12.
- Teacher: The professional responsible for the literacy instruction of the student(s) and may include the main instructor for a class, an instructional coach, Reading Interventionist (in grades K-3), special education teacher, Title I teacher or other personnel who are identified as effective in the teaching of reading and who has been employed to teach kindergarten or any of grades one through three.
If the General Ed. ELA teacher in grades 4-12 provides reading intervention to students on a READ plan, will they need to take the training?
If it is determined by the district that the ELA teacher in grades 4-12 is the person who is responsible for providing reading intervention to students on a READ plan, then the ELA teacher will need to take the READ Act teacher training.
Are 4th and 5th grade teachers required to take the READ Act teacher training?
If it is determined by the district that the 4th and 5th grade teacher is responsible for providing reading intervention to students on a READ plan, then these teachers will need to take the READ Act teacher training.
Are substitute teachers required to meet the READ Act teacher training requirements?
If a sub is hired for a long-term position (more than 2 weeks) working with K-3rd grade students or as a 4-12 reading interventionist, then this sub will need to complete the READ Act teacher training requirements. This sub can sign up for one of the free CDE-provided training options as soon as they are hired.
Are paraprofessionals required to take the READ Act teacher training?
No. Paraprofessionals are not required to complete the READ Act teacher training.
What are the deadlines for K-3 teachers who provide literacy instruction and 4-12 reading interventionists to complete the evidence-based training in teaching reading?
K-3 teachers who provide literacy instruction:
- August 1, 2025: evidence-based training in teaching reading must be completed
- August 15, 2025: documentation should be submitted to the Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) system (licensed teachers only; non-licensed teachers must reach out to their district to learn how to submit their documentation.)
4-12 reading interventionists:
- August 1, 2025: evidence-based training in teaching reading must be completed
- August 15, 2025: documentation should be submitted to the Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) system (licensed teachers only; non-licensed teachers must reach out to their district to learn how to submit their documentation.)
How do I submit documentation of completion to receive the READ Act designation?
Visit the READ Act Designation page for more information on this topic.
Can any teacher that completes the READ Act teacher training go ahead and upload their documentation into COOL?
Yes, any licensed teacher that has completed the READ Act teacher training requirements, can upload their documentation to COOL and have the READ Act designation added to their license.
Do teachers without a license submit their documentation of meeting the READ Act teacher training requirement to COOL?
Only licensed teachers submit their READ Act teacher training documentation to COOL.
Are districts responsible for keeping track of teacher completion of the training?
The process for reporting this information is currently being developed. The process for tracking completion of the CDE-provided training is also currently being developed.
When the processes for reporting/tracking teacher completion of the required training are finalized, they will be shared with districts on our website, during webinars, and on our listserv.
Can districts access reports from the Colorado Online Licensing system (COOL) that include information on which staff members have met the READ Act teacher training requirement?
Districts will be able to access reports from the Colorado Online Licensing system (COOL) that include information on which staff members have met the READ Act teacher training requirements.
The READ Act report:
- Based on the HR collection and includes the names of any educator in the district that has obtained the READ Act teacher training designation
- This report also includes the designation code and pathway option the teacher selected to meet the READ Act teacher training requirements
Individual educator search in COOL:
- Districts can do an individual educator search in COOL
- Individual educator reports show whether the educator has or has not obtained the READ Act teacher training designation
- This report does not include a designation code or the pathway selected by the teacher to meet the READ Act teacher training requirement.
(Scroll down to the green box on this page titled READ Act Teaching Reading Professional Development District Requirement for more information.)
How will CDE communicate READ Act teacher training reporting requirements to districts?
CDE will be offering multiple informational webinars to support districts. Upcoming webinar information can be found on the READ Act Informational Webinars webpage.
It will be the responsibility of the district to communicate and share reporting requirements with their own HR departments.
Is the expectation that districts share information about the READ Act teacher training with teachers or should teachers attend these webinars?
Teachers are more than welcome to attend the READ Act teacher training informational webinars; however, it is the responsibility of the district to inform teachers about the READ Act teacher training requirement. This would include but is not limited to pathway options available, deadlines, submitting documentation to COOL, and district systems for collecting documentation of meeting the requirements.
Are charter schools required to meet the READ Act teacher training requirements?
- A charter school may opt out of the READ Act teacher training requirements. If a charter school opts out of the READ Act teacher training, the school will not be eligible for per-pupil intervention money or literacy grant money.
- Districts are responsible for excluding opted-out charter schools in their READ Act budget submissions and ensuring READ act funds are not used for any opted-out charter schools.
- No local education provider may opt out of mandatory components which include:
- Using a state board-approved assessment
- Creating READ plans for students with significant reading deficiencies
- Submitting program and assessment information
What professional development will CDE offer for the teacher training?
Independent review committees selected Keys to Literacy's Keys to Beginning Reading to provide face-to-face training via synchronous virtual delivery or in-person and Public Consulting Group, Inc.’s Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Literacy Success to provide online training.
Do districts need to apply to be approved to receive the CDE-provided teacher training?
No. Districts will not be required to apply and gain approval to receive the CDE-provided teacher training.
Is there a cost for the CDE-provided training?
No. There is no cost to the district for the CDE-provided training.
Can districts create their own professional development program to satisfy the requirements of the teacher training?
Yes. A district can choose to provide their own professional development. District-provided PD must meet the same requirements as vendors for the required READ Act teacher training. The PD plan must be submitted to CDE, reviewed, and approved. This submission process does not have a deadline.
Is there an application for districts who wish to submit a district created professional development to meet the teacher training requirements?
An application is available on the READ Act webpage and can be accessed here. This will be a rolling application and will be posted on the CDE website.
Can districts choose a vendor-created professional development program that is different from the CDE-provided training to meet the requirements of the evidence-based training in teaching reading?
READ Act statute includes a provision allowing districts the option to provide evidence-based training in teaching reading that is included on the CDE Advisory List of Professional Development. This list can be accessed on the CDE READ Act webpage here.
Related Statute:
22-7-1208 (6)(a) By the beginning of the 2021-22 school year and continuing for each school year thereafter, each local education provider that receives per-pupil intervention money or a grant through the early literacy grant program in any budget year starting with the 2019-20 budget year shall ensure that each teacher employed to teach kindergarten or any of grades one through three successfully completes or has successfully completed evidence-based training in teaching reading. To comply with this subsection (6)(a), a local education provider must submit evidence, as described in subsection (6)(b) of this section, that each teacher employed to teach kindergarten or any of grades one through three has successfully completed evidence-based training in teaching reading that is:
(III) Provided by the department or included on the advisory list of professional development programs provided by the department pursuant to section 22-7-1209 (2)(c)
Will a professional development or training program not on the Advisory List of Professional Development meet the READ Act teacher training requirements?
Each of the training programs on the Advisory List of Professional Development were reviewed and approved to meet the criteria for the training requirements. Training programs not on the advisory list have not been approved to fulfill the requirements.
Which CDE endorsements will count toward being trained in evidence-based reading instruction?
Teachers who have a Colorado Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement meet the READ Act teacher training requirements.
Do any state universities/colleges offer Science or Reading courses that meet the READ Act teacher training requirements?
What if I have met the requirements but do not have an end of course assessment?
On April 8th, 2020, the State Board of Education determined that teachers who score at least 159 on the ETS Praxis Teaching Reading Elementary assessment (5205) will have met the evidence-based teacher training requirement established in SB-19 199.
When can teachers start taking the PRAXIS to satisfy the requirements?
Registration information for the PRAXIS 5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary exam can be found on the ETS website.
Can districts use READ Act funds to pay for teachers to take the Praxis?
No. The cost for teachers to take the Praxis is not an allowable expense for READ per pupil funds.
Can districts use READ Act funds to compensate teachers for PRAXIS assessment fees?
No. READ per-pupil dollars are not considered an allowable expense for the assessment.
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UPDATED
September 9, 2024
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