The new English Language Arts (ELA)/ English Language Development (ELD) framework has the potential to impact teaching and learning in profound ways.
On July 9, 2014, the State Board of Education adopted a new framework to guide literacy and language development instruction for the educators in the State of California. This document honors, values, and draws attention to California’s rich diversity. “We are excited about the framework’s potential to impact teaching and learning in profound ways in the coming years,” said Karin Linn-Nieves, director of Multilingual Education.
The framework has several unique features, such as the following list exhibits.
- It is the first in the nation to integrate two interrelated sets of standards throughout all chapters: CA Common Core State Standards for ELA/Literacy and CA ELD Standards.
- It discusses the standards in terms of five key themes, which includes: meaning making; effective expression; language development; content knowledge, and foundational skills.
- It integrates multiple content areas and literacy.
- It ‘tells and shows’ by providing information that is deeply grounded in current research and includes snapshots and vignettes, which illustrate the standards in action.
- It focuses on equity and access for all students.
- It promotes collaboration and shared responsibility among educators.
The subsequent is a tour of the framework:
- Chapter 1 provides an explanation of the two sets of standards and how these connect.
- Chapter 2 is a precursor to chapters 3-7. It explains the goals of ELA/Literacy and ELD instruction, the contexts for learning, and the key themes. This chapter also describes different approaches to teaching and learning and provides an in-depth section on English Language Development, explaining integrated and designated ELD.
- Chapters 3-7 provide grade-span and grade-level guidance and exemplars of classroom instruction at those levels.
- Chapters 8-12 offer detailed guidance in assessment, access and equity for California’s diverse learners, 21st century learning, and the professional learning, leadership, and systems of support for student achievement.
CLICK HERE to read the entire ELA/ELD Framework on the California Department of Education website.
CLICK HERE for an archived webinar, A Close Encounter, Through the Writers’ Eyes, of the New ELA/ELD Framework, features an overview given by key authors Pam Spycher, Hallie Yopp Slowik, and Nancy Brynelson.
The California Department of Education has scheduled three framework rollout sessions across the State:
- Southern-San Diego on December 9 and 10, 2014;
- Central-Fresno on January 20, 2015; and
- Northern-San Mateo on February 10, 2015.
Contact Cynthia Gunderson: cgunderson@cde.ca.gov for more information.
Locally, SJCOE’s Reading Implementation Center and Multilingual Education are collaborating to facilitate rollouts of the framework that were created by the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee (CISC) of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association. Scheduled dates include:
- Grades kindergarten through five administrators-October 29 or March 10; and
- Grades six through 12 administrators-November 4 or March 17.
Contact Michelle Hicks: mihicks@sjcoe.net for more information.
Contact Multilingual Education for upcoming professional learning opportunities, all of which include implementation of the new ELA/ELD framework!
Watch a brief video about the framework, here!