In a significant advancement for literacy education, the Colorado Department of Education has officially approved Really Great Reading’s acclaimed supplemental literacy programs—Countdown, Blast, and HD Word—for use in K–5 classrooms statewide. This endorsement offers Colorado educators a powerful toolkit for delivering structured, engaging, and research-backed reading instruction, helping students build a strong foundation in literacy.

Really Great Reading has been a leading provider of science-based literacy solutions, supporting schools with programs that reinforce essential reading skills aligned with the Science of Reading principles. Each program is tailored to help students make steady progress in their literacy journey from kindergarten through fifth grade.

• Countdown - Designed for kindergarten and first-grade classrooms, Countdown introduces foundational reading skills with lessons in phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary. Its adaptable structure supports a range of instructional settings, from whole class to individualized learning, giving young students the essential skills they need for early reading success.
• Blast - Aimed at first and second-grade students, Blast strengthens phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency through multisensory techniques. This program helps students develop confidence in decoding words and reading multisyllabic words, providing a solid foundation for reading growth in early elementary grades.
• HD Word - For students in grades 2-5, HD Word reinforces fluency, decoding, and vocabulary, empowering students to tackle more complex texts with accuracy and comprehension. HD Word builds students’ ability to read fluently and independently, ensuring they’re equipped for academic success.

Really Great Reading and Great Minds Collaborate: Colorado-Approved Complete Programs Includes:

• Full K–3 Literacy Curriculum with Great Minds – In collaboration with Great Minds, Really Great Reading has also developed a complete, state-approved literacy curriculum for grades K–3, providing Colorado’s schools with a holistic and rigorous approach to early literacy instruction.

Really Great Reading is committed to supporting educators every step of the way. Through interactive, self-paced Virtual Implementation Training Courses, Colorado educators gain year-round access to resources, instructional guidance, and professional development designed to ensure successful program implementation and maximize classroom impact.

Really Great Reading is dedicated to helping educators transform reading instruction through effective, research-based practices. With innovative products and a dedication to supporting literacy at every stage, Really Great Reading strives to empower students, teachers, and communities. To learn more about our literacy solutions, visit Really Great Reading.

Media Contact:
Shirley Verónica Cardona | VP of Marketing
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Email Shirley
305.338.2054