Passed in 1996 by the Colorado General Assembly, and now in effect in all Colorado schools, the Colorado Basic Literacy Act states that:

• All children must be reading on grade level by the end of third grade.
  
• Home and school must work together to help children learn to read.
  
• All third graders in Colorado must take a test each spring, called the Colorado State Assessment Program (CSAP), to provide one way of knowing which children are reading on grade level.
  
• Teachers can and should frequently check student progress with classroom assessments as another way of knowing if a child is reading on grade level.
  
• Students who are reading below grade level must be closely monitored which may mean placement on an Individualized Literacy Plan (ILP).
  
• Students will receive reading instruction on their level.
  
• School districts are required to report the number and percentage of students not reading at grade level. (No individual names will be reported.)

Students with reading needs will be identified using various assessments, including:

• Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA2)
• Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)
• Qualitative Reading Inventory II (QRI III)
• Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP)
• Teacher observation

Teachers have been trained to administer assessments.

Teachers will evaluate a student's progress and achievement over time, using a variety of measures.

Individualized Literacy Plan

If a student is identified as reading below grade level, parents will be notified and invited to discuss a plan with school staff which will help the student's progress in reading.

The development of an ILP would involve the parent, the teacher and possibly the child. The information collected by the teacher would be used to decide what strategies/skills the student needs to become a better reader.

A plan would then be written that recommends ways in which the parent and school staff can work together to address those needs.

The staff would also work closely with parents in making sure that the plan is followed and that the child is making progress in achieving the goals stated in the plan.

School and Parent Partnerships

An ILP will be more effective when there is direct parent involvement. Some examples of "at home" interventions include:

• read to the child daily;
• listen to the child read and retell a story;
• talk with the child about what s/he is reading;
• provide quiet time and a comfortable place for reading.

If you have any questions or concerns about how the Colorado Basic Literacy Act may affect your child, or how your school will be working with you, please contact your child's classroom teacher.

For More Information...