California is taking another step forward in implementing the Common Core for English language arts by gathering public comment on a new framework, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced Tuesday.

The English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (ELA/ELD Framework) will provide guidance for implementing the new Common Core State Standards and California’s new English Language Development Standards. Addressing both English language arts and English language development, the ELA/ELD Framework will help ensure that California’s students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and careers. The ELA/ELD Framework will help teachers, publishers, and other educators design instructional materials, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning.

“Across California, teachers and administrators are hard at work making this transition to modern new standards,” Torlakson said. “With this framework, we’re working to help guide that process, and I look forward to the public’s feedback.”

Standards define the knowledge and skills students should acquire at each grade level. The State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards for English language arts in 2010, and the new English Language Development Standards in 2012. This new ELA/ELD Framework is aligned to those standards. The Board last approved a framework in this area in 2006.

The ELA/ELD Framework breaks new ground by providing a blueprint for relating English language development for English learners to the English language arts standards for a cohesive program. The draft framework focuses on the teaching and learning of English literacy and language in the English classroom and includes strategies for extending that focus into all subject areas. It also provides direction to educators to implement the standards in the context of California’s diversity and helps them teach the critical thinking skills students will need for 21st century jobs. The ELA/ELD Framework has two primary audiences: educators and developers/publishers of curriculum programs and materials.

The public has until February 13, 2014, to review the ELA/ELD Framework, available in hard copy throughout the state and also online. The draft framework is on the California Department of Education’s Public Review and Comment on the ELA/ELD Framework Web page, where the public may leave comments via the digital survey or by email. Interested parties may also visit one of the 23 Learning Resource Display Centers statewide to review hard copies of the draft framework.

The public’s comments will then be presented to the Instructional Quality Commission in the spring for review and possible inclusion into the final ELA/ELD Framework. Then there will be a second public review in late spring or early summer. The Board is scheduled to take action on the final ELA/ELD Framework next summer.

For more information on the development of the draft framework, visit the California Department of Education’s Curriculum Frameworks Web page.