Questions about Right to Read? Email here.
11.14.25 UPDATES:
- RIDE's Right to Read Act Proficiency and Awareness Updates, April 2025
- Right to Read FAQ Document (Updated February 2023)
- Right to Read Act Guidance Document - updated June 2023
Background:
The Rhode Island Right to Read Act was passed in July of 2019, and amended in June 2022. The law requires educators to exhibit either Proficiency in or Awareness of the knowledge and practices of the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy.
Coventry Public Schools' requirements for Science of Reading Proficiency and Awareness PD closely follow the guidelines set forth by RIDE, approved providers/pathways and the RI Right to Read Act.
From RIDE:
“By the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, all PK-5 classroom educators, K-12 special educators, reading specialists/coaches, ESOL, bilingual and dual language educators must demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and practices of The Science of Reading and Structured Literacy. All remaining educators must exhibit awareness.” (Table 1 & Table 2 on this document; p.6 & 7.)
Criteria for Meeting Awareness:
For a listing of work assignments required to exhibit awareness of the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy, visit RIDE's Right to Read Act Webpage
RIDE partnered with BRIDGE-RI to develop courses that will fulfil the awareness requirements of the Right to Read Act. These five interactive courses consist of a total of 10 hours of content and will be available to LEAs at no cost.
NEW! All five courses in the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy Awareness series are live now. You may access the courses by following these directions.
If you are planning to offer these courses in a group setting, please reference this group completion document.
Criteria for Meeting Proficiency:
from RIDE:
Educators in the following work assignments are required to demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and practices of the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy:
- Early Childhood-5th Grade Classroom Teachers
- Early Childhood-12th Grade Reading Specialists and Coaches
- Early Childhood-12th Grade Special Education Teachers
- Early Childhood-12th Grade English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teachers
- Early Childhood-12th Grade Bilingual and Dual Language Teachers
Upon the culmination of this training from a RIDE approved provider, educators will be eligible for the Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement.
For a list of approved Pathways to Proficiency and more, visit RIDE's Right to Read Act Webpage