The ultimate goal of language arts programs in California is to ensure access to high quality curriculum and instructions for all students in order to meet or exceed the state's English/Language Arts Content Standards.

-- California Reading Language Arts Framework (1999), p. 225.

California Reading/Language Arts Framework

English learners need significant support in order to access grade-level language arts standards. Instruction, both oral and written, in academic language is critical. Although we have students with many different primary languages, Spanish is the primary language for a large portion of the population. Assessment and close monitoring of student progress is vital to student achievement. Research shows that students who learn to read and write in their primary language transfer those skills, and consequently have more success learning in their second language. Chapter 7 of the California Reading Language Arts Framework offers guidelines for working with English learners, and the California English Language Development Content Standards outlines a pathway for instruction.

Information, Tools, & Resources:

California ELD Standards

• Information to access the California English Language Development Content Standards, available both in English and Spanish. Provides information and a link to the Map of Standards for English Learners from WestEd.

English Learner Mentoring

• This series of professional development modules was developed to provide educators with information, strategies, and tools to help improve the quality of instruction for English learners.

Primer for Language Acquisition

• An interactive professional development resource that introduces the basic structure and developmental model of initial language acquisition and its relationship to acquiring a second language.

ELD Student Report Card

• WestEd developed this standards-based supplement to a regular report card for English learners. Monitor student progress and use this as a tool for discussing mastery of the standards.

Assessment & EL Instruction

• English learners benefit from a set of coherent assessments - multiple measures using authentic and formal assessments that evaluate their progress in meeting and mastering the standards.

Scaffolding Matrix for EL Instruction

• This resource provides examples of seven different strategies for scaffolding instruction for English learners, as well as tips and definitions.

Structure, Pedagogy & Resources

• This presentation explains pedagogy for effective EL instruction that encompasses legal definitions and requirements, second language acquisition theory, standards-based instruction, and differentiation.

ELD Materials Guidelines

• Provides clarification pertaining to current ELD compliance requirements and the use of English Language Arts state-approved adoption materials.

WRITE Institute

• Learn more about this intensive, sustained professional development model that trains teachers of grades 4-12 in research-based strategies to improve the performance of English learners by developing the reading and writing skills necessary for high academic achievement.

Related links:

SDCOE - English Learner Services

CDE - English Learners