Refuse the READ Act!
(Reading to Ensure Academic Development) Act
Written by Melissa Clark
In collaboration with Melissa Fink, Stef Fuhr, Laura McNamera, and
Teresa Smith and translated by Lynn Roberts
The READ Act focuses on state approved K - 3rd grade literacy tests and was created by ALEC,
which consists of corporate lobbyists and legislators, NOT educators.
 Within 90 days of starting kindergarten, children are tested to determine if they have a
literacy deficiency. If tests determine a deficit, students are repeatedly tested throughout the
year until third grade.
 If state-approved tests find students are not at grade level, they are put on an individual
learning plan, which goes into their student file.
 In the 2015-16 school year, if a 3rd grader’s test scores are not sufficient, a meeting will be
held with the parents, encouraging them to have their child repeat third grade.
 However, in 2016 the superintendent makes the final decision on whether a child repeats 3rd
grade, regardless of parents’ wishes.
 The student’s personal, school and district information must be reported to the Colorado
Department of Ed.
 Districts receive funding for each deficient child reported. In the 2014-15 school year, $33
million dollars were allocated to school districts across Colorado.
Why is this a concern?
The current privatization movement expects children to read by the end of kindergarten. Early
Childhood experts state that children learn to read anywhere from age 4 - 7, some earlier, some
later. (Defending the Early Years, http://deyproject.org/)
 There is no scientific evidence that learning to read by kindergarten has any long-term
gains. Most children are not developmentally ready to read until age 7.
 Children that are not developmentally ready to learn to read will perform poorly on these
tests.
 Pushing children to learn anything before they are developmentally ready causes stress on
their growing brains, which can create lifelong cognitive, social and emotional impairments.
Experts consider this to be child abuse.
 Children learn best through purposeful play in a print rich environment. Current standards
have led to inappropriate practices inside the classroom, such as excessive testing and direct
instruction.
What can you do to protect your student?
 Email or write to your principal immediately requesting a list of every district, state and federal
assessment used throughout the year and which ones are specific to READ Act.
 Send the school a letter stating that you refuse the tests. Without the testing data the school
cannot label your children or retain them in 3rd grade.
 To learn more and find sample letters go to:
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/CORAVE/
 http://unitedoptout.com/
 https://deyproject.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/readinginkindergarten_online-1.pdf
 http://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy/