Licensure/READ Act

K-3 reading teachers must complete additional training

The READ Act requires that all Colorado teachers who provide literacy instruction to students in grades K-3 (including reading specialists, integrated service teachers, and ELD teachers) must earn a “READ Act Designation” by meeting specific requirements. For Poudre School District to receive READ Funds, which are used to directly support students who need additional support in learning the foundational skills of reading, all K-3 teachers (100%) who teach reading must meet the requirements.

Newly hired teachers for the 2022-2023 school year need to determine which pathway they will use to earn the "READ Act Designation" and complete the training as soon as possible. The majority of PSD teachers fulfilled this requirement by completing Option 5: CDE Training "Building a Strong Foundation: Developing Early Literacy Skills" by the Public Consulting Group, Inc., which is asynchronous and self-paced, free and open for registration now.

It is also available for 50 hours of PSD professional development credit with an option to purchase lane change credit when you register for both the CDE training and the PSD course. See this flier for more information.

PSD teachers who are currently on contract for the 2021-2022 school year need to complete specific training by August 1, 2022. All documentation must be submitted to the Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) system by August 15, 2022. Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, school districts that do not meet the requirements will be ineligible for READ Act funds.

All K-3 teachers, including Integrated Services and English Language teachers must:

1)Complete one of the Colorado Department of Educator's (CDE) options to meet the requirements.

2)Submit evidence of completion through CDE's Colorado Online Licensing System and

3) Provide an updated copy of your CDE license with the "READ Act Designation" and any other documentation of which option was complete (ie. Praxis test score, Public Consulting Group course certificate, or letter from CDE verifying approval of a course) to Human Resources by emailing hr@psdschools.org.

After you have met the READ Act teacher training requirement, submit evidence through the Colorado Online Licensing System (click here for directions). CDE will add the designation to your teacher license. After CDE notifies you that you have received the designation, email a copy of your CDE license with the “READ Act Designation” and any other documentation of which option was complete (ie. Praxis test score, Public Consulting Group course certificate, or letter from CDE verifying approval of a course) to Human Resources by emailing hr@psdschools.org.

Find more information: PSD FAQs | CDE - Explore the Options

CDE options

Option 1: Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement on your CDE teaching license

Option 1: Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement (added to your CDE teaching license)

One way to meet the READ Act teacher training requirement is to have or add a Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement to your CDE license.

The Educator Talent Unit at CDE will review all existing Reading Teacher and Reading Specialist endorsements on Colorado teacher licenses and add a “READ Act Designation” to these licenses. After CDE notifies you that you have received the designation, email an updated copy of your license to hr@psdschools.org.

To add the endorsement of Reading Teacher, you must:

Hold a Colorado initial or professional teacher license,
Complete 2+ years of teaching while holding an initial or professional teacher license, and
Complete an approved graduate program in reading at an accepted institution of higher education, including a supervised practicum or internship as a reading teacher

Please note: Most out-of-state reading specialist programs fulfill the requirements for this endorsement. Determination of qualification for either the "reading teacher" or "reading specialist" endorsement will be made by CDE upon evaluation of application.

To qualify for the added endorsement of Reading Specialist, you must:

Hold a Colorado initial or professional teacher license,
Complete 3+ years of teaching while holding an initial or professional teacher license, and
Complete an approved graduate program in reading at an accepted institution of higher education, including a supervised practicum or internship as a reading specialist

While holding a master’s degree in reading does not automatically fulfill the READ Act teacher training requirement, teachers who do are likely eligible to add one of these endorsements. Contact the university from which your degree was conferred to see if the coursework qualifies for the endorsement. Teachers in the process of completing coursework will not be considered as having fulfilled the requirement.

After adding the endorsement, CDE will add the designation to your teacher license. After you receive the designation, email an updated copy of your license to hr@psdschools.org.

Option 2: State Board Approved Assessment of Knowledge of Teaching Reading

One way to meet the READ Act teacher training requirement is to submit evidence of passing an approved test, the PRAXIS exam #5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary, with a score of 159+.

Several PSD PD classes in reading and literacy, such as LETRS Version 2 and/or Systematic Design, provided background knowledge (but not an end-of-course assessment) to meet this requirement. The PRAXIS test questions loosely represent content in the Systematic Design cohort. If you completed one or both courses or have extensive knowledge about reading instruction, you may find this option as a good possibility for meeting this requirement.

Find information about the PRAXIS test option, including testing and registration opportunities, on the CDE website. Registration information for the PRAXIS 5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary exam can be found on the ETS website. The cost of the test is approximately $150. Test preparation materials, including a study companion with practice questions, are available for free; more in-depth preparation materials are available to download for 90 days for $20. The cost for teachers to prepare for or take the PRAXIS is not an allowable expense for READ per pupil funds.

After passing the test, submit evidence through the Colorado Online Licensing System (link will be provided when available). CDE will add the designation to your teacher license. After CDE notifies you that you have received the designation, email an updated copy of your license and PRAXIS 5205 score results to hr@psdschools.org.

Option 3: Appropriate Undergraduate or Graduate University Course in Teaching Reading

One way to meet the READ Act teacher training requirement is to submit evidence of completing an undergraduate or graduate level university reading course.

To meet the requirements, a course must:

Consist of 45 or more hours, and
Address the educator preparation literacy standards, and
Include an end-of-course assessment with evidence of passing.

See the College Course Pathway Application and Worksheet for information about this option.

The application requires that you submit a syllabus, transcript, and scored end-of-course assessment; multiple courses cannot be submitted. We recommend that you read the full application and corresponding materials before beginning the application. This option will apply to very few previously completed university courses; most courses were not designed to fulfill the unique requirements of the READ Act. PSD staff in Professional Learning or Human Resources cannot determine if license renewal courses meet the requirements for READ Act training.

If CDE approves a completed course, you will receive a certificate of approval, which you must submit through the Colorado Online Licensing System (link will be provided when available). CDE will add the designation to your teacher license. After CDE notifies you that you have received the designation, email a copy of your CDE license with the “READ Act Designation” and any other documentation of which option was complete (ie. letter from CDE verifying approval of a course) to Human Resources by emailing hr@psdschools.org.

Option 4: Course Appropriate for License Renewal

One way to meet the READ Act teacher training requirement is to submit evidence of completing a license renewal course in reading.

To meet the requirements, a course must:

Consist of 45 or more hours, and
Address the educator preparation literacy standards, and
Include an end-of-course assessment with evidence of passing.

See the License Renewal Course Pathway Application and Worksheet for information about this option.

The application requires that you submit a syllabus, certificate of completion, and scored end-of-course assessment; multiple courses cannot be submitted. We recommend that you read the full application and corresponding materials before beginning the application. This option will apply to very few previously completed license renewal courses; most courses were not designed to fulfill the unique requirements of the READ Act. No courses previously offered by PSD fulfill the requirements. PSD personnel in Professional Learning or Human Resources cannot determine if license renewal courses meet the requirements for READ Act training.

If CDE approves a completed course, you will receive a certificate of approval, which you must submit through the Colorado Online Licensing System (link will be provided when available). CDE will add the designation to your teacher license. After CDE notifies you that you have received the designation, email a copy of your CDE license with the “READ Act Designation” and any other documentation of which option was complete (eg. letter from CDE verifying approval of a course) to Human Resources by emailing hr@psdschools.org.

Option 5: CDE Training

One way to meet the READ Act teacher training requirement is to complete a free CDE training. CDE offers two options, face-to-face or online/asynchronous.

The “face-to-face” (currently virtual/synchronous) training, “Keys to Beginning Reading” by Keys to Literacy is in-time; teachers attend on specific days. The training is organized into 12 modules that include 45 hours of content. Classes meet either weekly (14 evenings) or biweekly (7 full days with a Saturday option) throughout spring of 2021, or for several days in summer 2021. Registration is open now.

The online option, “Building a Strong Foundation: Developing Early Literacy Skills” by the Public Consulting Group, Inc., is asynchronous and self-paced, free, and open for registration now.

It is also available for 50 hours of PSD professional development credit with an option to purchase lane change credit when you register for both the CDE training and the PSD course. See this flyer for more information. Study guides are available for your reference. Register in the PSD PD Course Catalog: #17689 Teacher Evidence-Based Reading Training - Building a Strong Foundation: Developing Early Literacy Skills (asynchronous)

After completing the training, submit evidence through the Colorado Online Licensing System (link will be provided when available). CDE will add the designation to your teacher license. After CDE notifies you that you have received the designation, email a copy of your CDE license with the “READ Act Designation” and any other documentation of which option was complete (ie. course certificate) to Human Resources by emailing hr@psdschools.org.

Option 6: District-Provided Training

One way to meet the READ Act teacher training requirement is to complete approved training provided by a Colorado school district. CDE has not yet approved a PSD READ Act professional development course.

PSD is offering the CDE-approved course (see Option 5) for lane change credit when you register for both the CDE training (free) and the PSD credit (low cost). The course is online, asynchronous, self-paced, free, and open for registration now; it is also available for 50 hours of PSD professional development credit with an option to purchase lane change. See this flyer for more information.

Register in the PSD PD Course Catalog: #17689 Teacher Evidence-Based Reading Training - Building a Strong Foundation: Developing Early Literacy Skills (asynchronous)

After completing the training, submit evidence through the Colorado Online Licensing System (available soon). CDE will add the designation to your teacher license. After CDE notifies you that you have received the designation, email an updated copy of your license to hr@psdschools.org.

Option 7: CDE-Approved Training Program

One way to meet the READ Act teacher training requirement is to complete a CDE-approved training program.

CDE has posted a list of professional development programs approved to meet the READ Act requirements. Please visit the CDE website for details.

After completing the training, submit evidence through the Colorado Online Licensing System (link will be provided when available). CDE will add the designation to your teacher license. After CDE notifies you that you have received the designation, email an updated copy of your license and course certificate to hr@psdschools.org.