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The ability to read is a fundamental component of success in school and life. While reading at all grade levels is essential, third grade is observed as the gateway when students are expected to move beyond learning to read and begin reading to learn. Research shows reading successfully by the end of third grade is a significant predictor of school success. To improve student outcomes the Iowa Legislature adopted a comprehensive early literacy law that focuses on making sure all students are prepared for academic success.
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Iowa Code 279.68 and Iowa Administrative Code 281-62 promote effective evidence-based programming, instruction, and assessment practices across schools to support all students to become proficient readers by the end of the third grade. General requirements are:
- Provision of universal screening in reading for students in kindergarten through third grade
- Progress monitoring for students who are at risk and persistently at risk in reading
- Provision of intensive instruction – including 90 minutes daily of scientific, research-based reading instruction - for students who are persistently at risk in reading
- Notice to parents that a student is persistently at risk in reading, including strategies the parents can use at home to help the child succeed
- Notice to parents of such a student’s subsequent progress
House File 2618 (HF2618) passed in May 2024 amends existing Early Literacy Implementation requirements to include the following:
- Personalized Reading Plans for students in grades K-6 who are not reading proficiently.
- Written notice of the parent's or guardian's ability to request that the student be retained for students in grades K-6 not reading proficiently.
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Support Materials
- HF2618: Section 2: Early Literacy Implementation
- Model Personalized Reading Plan: HF2618 Technical Assistance - A model plan districts may use or adapt to meet the legislated requirements of House File 2618.
- Approved ELI Literacy Assessments - Results of the annual universal screening and progress monitoring assessment reviews.
- Iowa Early Literacy Alternate Assessment - Information and resources on Iowa’s Early Literacy Alternate Assessment.
- Universal Screening K-6 Default Literacy Assessment Collection - Instructions for the building level collection of default literacy assessment selections and district confirmation of the submitted selections in the Consolidated Accountability and Support Application (CASA).
Parent/Guardian Letters
To support schools in implementing the requirements of Iowa Code section 279.68. Below are example parent/guardian letters, contracts, and letters in translation, as well as meeting guidance and the link to the Parent (Guardian) Resources tab within the Iowa Reading Research Center website. More information about Parent/Guardian notification is available in Appendix G of the Early Literacy Technical Assistance.
- Initial Parent/Guardian Notification (Example letters are currently being updated to include HF2618.)
- Contract between the Home and School (Example contracts and letters are currently being updated to include HF2618.)
- Progress Reports
- Parent/Guardian Letters in Spanish and other translations
- Arabic, Burmese, Karen, Kirundi, Lao, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese, Bosnia, Chinese (Mandarin)
- Early Literacy Progression Meetings