Key Colorado Committee Approves Increased Transparency to Support Struggling Readers

Colorado

Today, the House Education Committee unanimously passed legislation to provide greater transparency in the implementation of the Colorado Reads Act.

HB 20-1288, sponsored by Senator Bob Rankin and Representative Janice Rich, requires schools to post on its website the reading curriculum, instructional programs and interventions for struggling readers to keep parents and community members informed on how schools are working to improve early literacy. Schools will also be required to post the number of students with reading plans, the number of students who have demonstrated competency and how the school is using intervention funding.

“Colorado’s vision for the future of its education system includes an emphasis on literacy. All children can become strong readers if they are taught the right way. Evidence-based instruction aligned with the science of reading has not been applied routinely in Colorado classrooms, and these specific methods can make a big difference. We must hold schools accountable for demonstrating that the reading instruction is aligned with scientifically-based reading research.”

Senator Bob Rankin

 

“The research is clear: Students who leave third grade unable to read at grade level face dramatically longer odds of graduating high school and embarking on a successful, fulfilling career.

“Information is power. Parents and community members deserve access to transparent information on how reading intervention funding is being spent at the school. This bill will shed light on whether schools are using curriculum based on the science of reading and if schools are seeing improved outcomes for students as a result of accepting intervention funds.

“ExcelinEd in Action would like to thank Senator Bob Rankin, Representative Janice Rich and the Senate Education Committee for championing and supporting this important issue.”

Brad Galbraith, Regional Legislative Director, ExcelinEd in Action

For more information on early literacy and the science of reading, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library.

Solution Areas:

Early Literacy