CO Code § 22-20.5-104 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 22 - Education|Article 20.5 - Education of Children With Dyslexia|§ 22-20.5-104. Pilot Program - Dyslexia Markers - Effective Interventions - Created - Evaluation Report - Repeal

  Beginning in the 2020-21 school year, the department shall implement a pilot program to develop and pilot screening and identification processes and intervention strategies for early identification of and support for students enrolled in kindergarten through third grade who may have dyslexia. The department shall consult with the working group concerning the design and implementation of the pilot program. The department shall provide information concerning the pilot program to local education providers throughout the state and select up to five local education providers who volunteer to participate in the pilot program. In selecting the participating local education providers, the department shall ensure to the extent practicable that the affected student populations are representative of the demographic diversity within the state and that the local education providers are located throughout the state. The local education providers that participate in the pilot program will work with the department to use the results obtained from assessments administered pursuant to the “Colorado READ Act”, part 12 of article 7 of this title 22, in a research-based process to identify markers of dyslexia and provide support for young readers who may exhibit the markers for dyslexia.    In implementing the pilot program, the department shall:   Provide targeted support for educators employed by the participating local education providers in understanding the unique needs of young students who are at risk for reading delays related to dyslexia;    Assist the participating local education providers in implementing a dyslexia identification process that uses the READ act interim assessment as a screening tool and uses a research-based identification process to use the results of the assessments to identify the presence of dyslexia; and    Support the participating local education providers in pairing assessment processes with implementation of research-based instructional and intervention strategies to provide timely and appropriate support for students at risk for identification of dyslexia.       At the end of the 2021-22 school year, the department shall evaluate the implementation of the pilot program and the effectiveness of the strategies in identifying and supporting more students in the participating local education providers than were identified and supported in nonparticipating local education providers. Based on the evaluation, the department shall refine the resources for technical support, identification, and interventions, as necessary, and disseminate the resources to all local education providers in the state. Upon request, the department shall also provide the technical support necessary to effectively use the resources.    On or before December 31, 2022, the department shall submit to the state board of education and the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees, a report concerning the implementation and evaluation of the pilot program. The department may include in the report any recommendations for legislation that the department deems necessary based on the evaluation of the pilot program.    This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2023.     History. Source: L. 2019: Entire article added, (HB 19-1134), ch. 407, p. 3594, § 1, effective May 31. L. 2020: (4) amended, (HB 20-1402), ch. 216, p. 1049, § 38, effective June 30.