Tom Torlakson

California teachers have new guidance in teaching English language arts under the Common Core State Standards with additional support for English learners, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today as the State Board of Education adopted the English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework for California Public Schools (Framework).This is the first time in the nation that a state has adopted dual guidelines in one publication for both English language arts and English language development.

“Bringing together the standards for English language arts and English language development will help give all students—no matter where they come from or where they live—the tools to read, write, and understand all their courses, so they will be ready for college and careers,” Torlakson said. “The new Framework addresses the needs of our diverse student population and gives teachers a ‘roadmap’ for curriculum and instruction under the Common Core.”

The Framework provides teachers guidance to teach the standards, which describe the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students should acquire at each grade level. The Framework covers the implementation of the California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects, as well as the new California English Language Development Standards. Adopted by the State Board of Education in 2010, the Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics are the basis for remodeling California’s education system to help students learn step-by-step the real world skills and knowledge that they will need for college and careers.

“California is forging a new path through the adoption of one Framework for two interrelated standards that help ensure all of our students have the ability to read, write, and communicate with competence and confidence across a range of academic content areas,” said State Board of Education President Dr. Michael Kirst.

The Framework helps teachers on a range of topics. These include guidance on instructional strategies to strengthen learning for every student, both in classrooms where English language is taught and in collaboration with teachers in other courses. It also contains information on the qualities of effective professional development, technology for instruction and learning, criteria for evaluating instructional materials, and on testing to improve instruction and learning. The Framework provides descriptions of the standards by grade span and level, and includes resources such as classroom instruction vignettes and models that teachers may use to address the diverse needs of their students.

The Framework was created by educators and literacy experts, most of whom are teachers in California classrooms, under the guidance of the state Instructional Quality Commission. Public comments on the draft Framework were collected earlier this year, and were presented to the State Board of Education. The Instructional Quality Commission unanimously recommended the Framework to the Board for adoption.

The Framework is currently available in draft form on the California Department of Education’s May-June Draft ELA/ELD Framework Chapters Web page and will soon be updated to reflect its final adoption by the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education is the governing and policy-making body for public K-12 education in California. The President of the Board is Michael W. Kirst and the Executive Director is Karen Stapf Walters. Board members are appointed for four-year terms by the Governor of California and are confirmed by the State Senate. For more information, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/be.

The California Department of Education is a state agency led by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. For more information, please visit the California Department of Education Web site or by mobile device. You may also follow Superintendent Torlakson on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.