2023-2024 READ Act Instructional Programming Review Process

Background:

The Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) focuses on early literacy development for all students kindergarten through third grade and especially for students at risk of not reaching grade level proficiency in reading by the end of third grade. Included in the READ Act is the requirement that the department create an advisory list of evidence-based or scientifically based instructional programming in reading, pursuant to C.R.S. 22-7-1209.

During each review cycle, new providers have the opportunity to be added to the advisory list. The review is a two part process for vendors to submit instructional programs: core, supplemental and intervention, to be reviewed for inclusion on the Colorado Department of Education READ Act Advisory List.

Spanish Instructional Programs

The criteria for Spanish instructional programs have changed. All Spanish instructional programs that are currently on the advisory list must submit to be reviewed.

The department has created new rubrics for the review of Spanish core, supplemental and intervention instructional programs.
All Spanish core, supplemental and intervention that were previously approved must submit to be reviewed during the 2023-2024 review cycle.
Spanish programs that are currently on the READ Act Advisory List of Instructional Programming must be reviewed using the new Spanish application and rubric.
The application is bilingual, written in English and Spanish, and rubrics are written in Spanish (an English translation can be provided).
Spanish instructional programs that are not reviewed and approved during the 2023-2024 will be removed from the READ Act Advisory List of Instructional Programming.

Process:

The CDE process for review of instructional programming materials for inclusion on the READ Act Advisory List of Instructional Programming follows these steps:

Part I – Letter of Intent to Apply
Part II – Program Review
- Programs must meet the Part I – Letter of Intent to Apply criteria to receive the Part II – Program Review application from CDE.
Appeal Window
Instructional Programming Advisory List posted on the CDE website

Note: To be included on the Instructional Programming Advisory List programs must be reviewed during this review window.

Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply

In order for a provider to submit materials to the CDE for full review of programs, each vendor must have established that the program submitted met the eligibility criteria in Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply. Those programs that met the Part I – Letter of Intent to Apply criteria were asked to move forward to the Part II - Program Review and received the Part II – Program Review application from CDE.

The Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply for inclusion on the provider list for instructional programming is closed.

Note: If a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request for a program be received by CDE, the CDE Communications Team will reach out to the vendor about the specific CORA request and work with the vendor to ensure that no proprietary information is released. Additional details about CORA can be found at CDE’s Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) Policy.

Archived Resources:

Part II - Program Review

The application for Part II - Program Review includes instructions to submit materials for the second stage of the Program Advisory List Submission Application for review. As explained in the application for Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply, vendors had to explicitly state the location of required components within the submission materials. Only vendors meeting criteria of Part I - Letter of Intent to Apply and Part II Program Review may be considered for inclusion on the Advisory List for which the program was submitted for review.

Archived Resources:

English Programs

Spanish Programs

Instructional Program Review Timeline

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has paused the review of programs that are computer based/online programs. An updated timeline for reviewing computer based/online programs will be announced at a later date.

*Please note: If unforeseen circumstances arise, the review window may be adjusted.

For questions, please contact READAct@cde.state.co.us.

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