READ Plan Guidance for Students in Grades 4-12

Introduction / Overview

The Colorado READ Act passed in 2012 by the Colorado legislature with the purpose of ensuring every student in Colorado can read at grade level by the time they exit third grade. The legislation was born out of convincing research by a variety of sources, including by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, that shows students who cannot read by the end of the third grade are four times more likely to dropout of high school. The provisions of the Act promote early identification of reading difficulties and effective intervention to quickly close reading gaps and ensure all Colorado students can demonstrate a level of competency in reading skills necessary to achieve success in school. READ Act starts by making sure all students receive instruction in the foundational skills of reading. This continues through the grades until each third-grade student can read with ease, understand the materials, and think critically.

What happens if a student enters into the fourth grade and cannot read grade-level texts with ease, demonstrate understanding of grade-level material, and/or think critically as asked in the Colorado Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, and Communicating? What happens if the same student has been identified as having a significant reading deficiency (SRD) and is subsequently placed on a READ plan prior to leaving third grade? What does it mean when a student in grades 4 thru 12 is on a READ plan? 

In response to the numerous inquiries received from school and district leaders and educators regarding how to support the reading literacy proficiency of students who remain on READ plans beyond the third grade, the Colorado Department of Education formed a cross-departmental working group comprised of literacy experts from the Office of Standards and Instructional Support, the Elementary Literacy and School Readiness Office, the Culturally Linguistic and Diverse Education Office, the Exceptional Student Services Unit, and the Office of Learning Supports to create, compile, and provide detailed guidance and considerations grounded in scientific and research-based practices aligned to READ Act and other federal and state legislation (e.g., IDEA).  

The guidance in each categorical bucket below is intended to provide all Colorado districts with research, resources, and training opportunities to support students who remain on READ plans beyond the third grade. The goal is to ensure that students achieve reading proficiency, and therefore, can demonstrate at grade level, the content, concepts, and skills outlined in the Colorado Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, and Communicating as the progress in grades 4 thru 12. 

Important News, Announcements, and Updates

On-Demand Professional Development Opportunities

The Office of Standards and Instructional Support has compiled several on-demand learning opportunities for educators. Visit the on-demand library on the CDE website

Contact Information

Olivia Gillespie, Ed.D
Reading, Writing, and Communicating Content Specialist
720-930-1298
gillespie_o@cde.state.co.us