K-3 Teacher Evidence-Based Reading Training Requirements

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Important Dates for Teachers

August 1, 2022: evidence-based training in teaching reading must be completed

August 15, 2022: documentation should be submitted to the Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) system

 

All teachers who teach in kindergarten through grade three, must complete the training by August 1, 2022 to meet the deadline. In subsequent years, teachers hired after June 1, 2022 must enroll in the READ Act teacher training as soon as they receive their district email address. Teachers are expected to complete the training without delays so as to not impact the distribution of READ Act per-pupil dollars to the local education agency.

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Upload Certificate of Completion to the COOL System

The Colorado Online Licensing System (COOL) is now able to accept documentation of meeting the READ Act evidence-based training in teaching reading requirement.

Details about the process for submitting documentation to COOL can be found here.

Teacher Training Frequently Asked Questions

About the Training Requirements

Colorado school districts are required to ensure all K - 3 teachers complete evidence-based training in teaching reading  as a result of changes to the Colorado READ Act in SB 19-199 (PDF). HB21-1129 extends the previously approved deadline of January 31, 2022 to the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. Districts, BOCES, and charters that do not meet the requirements will be ineligible for READ Act funds for the 2022-23 school year.  In subsequent years, districts will need to ensure that teachers new to teaching K – 3rd grade also meet this requirement.

To meet this training requirement, State Board of Education rules require that the evidence-based training in teaching reading must:

• Consist of a minimum of 45 hours;
• Address the content of the educator preparation literacy standards referenced in the state board’s Rules for the Administration of Educator License Endorsements, 1 CCR 301-101, section 4.02(5) through 4.02(12) (effective May 30, 2019); and
• Include an end of course assessment that teachers can provide evidence of passing.

State law and State Board of Education rules allow the following options for teachers to meet the training requirement. CDE will provide information for teachers to submit documentation that one of these training options met the hour, content and assessment requirements. At this time, CDE anticipates that the documentation will be a part of a teachers’ license.

Training Requirement Options

Teachers need to only complete one of these options to meet the training requirement.

Teachers need to meet this training requirement only once. The rules for the Colorado READ Act define a kindergarten through 3rd grade teacher as a "professional responsible for the literacy instruction of the student(s) and may include the main instructor for a class, an instructional coach, reading interventionist, special education teacher, Title I teacher or other personnel who are identified as effective in the teaching of reading."