The Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) system has been updated and is able to accept documentation from teachers demonstrating that they have met the READ Act teacher training requirements. The COOL system can be accessed directly on the CDE webpage using this link or on the Educator Talent Licensing webpage linked here.

If a teacher completed the CDE online training “Building a Strong Foundation: Developing Early Literacy Skills” through Pepper, they will want to follow the directions below to link their account in Pepper to their account in COOL, so their certificate of completion will be sent from the Pepper system over to COOL.

• Log in to their COOL account.
• Select “My Profile”.
• Select “Designations” in the Credential section of their profile.
• Select the “Link My Pepper Account” link and follow the instructions.

1. The link will take them to Pepper.
2. Log in using their Pepper account credentials.

• Upon successful completion of this process, a confirmation statement will appear in the green bar beneath the “Link to Pepper” instructions.

If a teacher is submitting documentation for all other pathway options, they will want to follow the directions below.

• Log in to their COOL account.
• Select “My Profile”.
• Select “Designations” in the Credential section of their profile.
• Select “Add Designation”.
• Click “Yes, Confirm”.
• Click “Yes” under “Do you wish to be evaluated for the READ Act designation”.
• Complete a short application and upload their certificate of completion.

OR

• Log in to their COOL account.
• Select + Designation to add the READ Act designation (under “Actions”)
• Click “Yes, Confirm”.
• Click “Yes” under “Do you wish to be evaluated for the READ Act designation”.
• Complete a short application and upload their certificate of completion.

You will submit proof to CDE if you'd like the requirement listed on your license. You did the work, so we highly recommend you submit to CDE. See above for directions on how to do this.

Yes! As soon as you've completed the requirement, fill out this form. 

HB21-1129 extends the previously approved deadline of January 31, 2022 to the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. More related information will be released soon. 

There are several ways to meet this requirement. 

• Seek a Colorado Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist Endorsement. 
  • This can be done at some accredited universities
  • Will count toward Horizontal Advancement
• Passing the Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary 5205 with a passing score of 159
  • District 6 will offer study sessions
• Appropriate graduate or undergraduate course or other course (approval from CDE)
  • Need to get approval in writing from CDE
  • Will count toward Horizontal Advancement
• CDE Course - Self Paced. If you have a solid literacy foundational knowledge, it may not take the full 45 hours.
  • No cost to participant
  • Do at your own pace
  • CDE Renewal Hours upon completion of course (will not count toward Horizontal Advancement)

For a full scope of CDE options, visit the CDE Training Requirements Website. 

No, this is a one time training requirement. 

The rules for the Colorado READ Act define a kindergarten through 3rd grade teacher as a "professional responsible for the literacy instruction of the student(s) and may include the main instructor for a class, an instructional coach, reading interventionist, special education teacher, Title I teacher or other personnel who are identified as effective in the teaching of reading."