READ Act Principal/Administrator Training

Deadlines

Any administrators hired prior to June 1st, 2024 must have completed evidence-based training designed for K-3 principals and administrators in the science of reading by August 1st, 2024.

Administrators hired after June 1st, 2024 complete evidence-based training designed for K-3 principals and administrators in the science of reading by August 1st, 2025.

K-3 Principal/Administrator Training Options

Evidence-Based Training in Teaching Reading Requirements

All K-3 principals and administrators must complete evidenced-based training designed for K-3 principals and administrators in the science of reading that addresses the content of the principal literacy standards. K-3 principals and administrators are expected to complete the training without delay so as to not impact the distribution of READ Act per-pupil dollars to the local education agency.

2024-25 Office Hours

Coming Soon!

About the Training Requirements

For the 2024-25 budget year and budget years thereafter, districts are required to submit evidence that each K-3 principal and each K-3 administrator as defined in the rules successfully completed evidence-based training designed for K-3 principals and administrators in in the science of reading.

The evidence-based training designed for K-3 principals and administrators in the science of reading must include a minimum of 20 hours. However, for a K-3 principal or administrator who has previously completed the CDE-approved evidence-based training in teaching reading for teachers, as described in section 13.01(C), the evidence-based training designed for K-3 principals and administrators in the science of reading may be abbreviated and must include a minimum of 5 hours. Any evidence-based training designed for K-3 principals and administrators in the science of reading must address the following standards

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 20 hours (or 5 hours if the principal or administrator has already completed a CDE-approved evidence-based training in teaching reading for teachers);
Address the content of the principal literacy standards referenced in the state board's Rules for the Administration of The Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (Read Act), 1 CCR 301-92, section 13.01(D)(1) (effective December 30, 2022); and
Include an end of course assessment that school administrators can provide evidence of passing.

Infographic of number of hours to meet the READ Act Administrator Training requirement.

Who is Required to Meet the Training Requirements?

Principals and administrators who serve grades K-3 are required to complete evidence-based training designed for school administrators in the science of reading.

Definitions:

Administrator: Any school-based or centrally- or regionally-based employee of an LEP who is responsible for designing, implementing and/or providing professional development on the elementary literacy instructional program for kindergarten or any of grades one through three in any school or LEP in the state, and who is not the principal. This would include an assistant or vice principal of an elementary school. It also includes any employee of the LEP conducting observations of and/or providing coaching to a teacher providing literacy instruction in kindergarten or grades one through three.
Principal: Any person who is employed as the chief executive officer of any school in the state that serves kindergarten or any of grades one through three.

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Options to Fulfill Training Requirements

Below are the options listed in Statute and Rules.

K-3 administrators and principals need to only complete one of these options to meet the READ Act principal/administrator training requirements
K-3 administrators and principals need to meet the training requirements only once.

CDE-Provided Training (Option 1)

K-3 administrators and principals will have the option to successfully complete a CDE-provided training at no cost through the Public Consulting Group.
A K-3 principal or administrator who has previously completed the 45 hour CDE-approved evidence-based training in teaching reading for teachers should request access to the5-hour course option.

Explore CDE-provided Training for Principals/Administrators

District- or BOCES-provided Training (Option 2)

K-3 administrators and principals will have the option to successfully complete a district- or BOCES-provided training approved by the CDE and can check with their district or BOCES whether this option will be available to them.

Explore District- or BOCES-provided Training

Districts or BOCES that are interested in submitting a course to CDE for approval should email READActTraining@cde.state.co.us to receive more information.

Training Program from the CDE Advisory List of Professional Development (Option 3)

K-3 administrators and principals can successfully complete a training program included on the CDE Advisory List of Professional Development that has been designed to meet the training requirements.

Explore CDE Advisory List Training

State Board Approved Assessment of Knowledge of Science of Reading

At this time, CDE has not identified an alternative assessment that has been authorized by the State Board of Education.

CDE-Approved Program of Preparation or Post-Graduate Course in Teaching Reading or Literacy

At this time, CDE does not have a list of CDE-approved courses from a program of preparation or post-graduate degree program that meet this requirement.

Educator Preparation Programs that are interested in submitting a course to CDE for approval should email READActTraining@cde.state.co.us.

If you have additional questions about the K-3 principal/administrator training, please contact ReadActTraining@cde.state.co.us.