CO SB181

Requires local education providers (school districts, charter schools, cooperative services) to screen all students in preschool through grade 3 for reading difficulties beginning in the 2024-25 school year, with screening also required for new students in grade 4 and above who meet specified criteria.

Mandates that students identified as at-risk receive informal diagnostic assessments and evidence-based supplemental reading instruction, with progress monitoring at intervals of no more than 10 weeks and parent notification within 15 school days of screening results.

Requires local education providers to publish on their websites the screening instruments, diagnostic assessments, and supplemental reading instruction programs they use, along with annual data on screening results disaggregated by grade level, race/ethnicity, sex, English proficiency, and disability status.

Directs the Department of Education to provide annual training for educators and administrators on screening, assessment administration, progress monitoring, and best practices for supplemental reading instruction; to develop and maintain resources on recommended screening tools and interventions; and to offer an online dyslexia awareness course.

Establishes an independent Literacy Ombudsman office to assess K-12 literacy achievement, READ Act implementation, and adequacy of struggling reader identification, with authority to maintain a grievance process for parents regarding screening delays or inadequate intervention progress.