State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Gov. Gavin Newsom have announced the release of the California Literacy-Biliteracy Professional Learning Pack, a comprehensive suite of resources designed to enhance literacy instruction and support educators across the state in improving student outcomes, especially for young readers.

The new Professional Learning Pack includes two crucial literacy guidance documents. The first is the California Literacy Roadmap’s Literacy Content Blocks for English-Medium Classrooms (Transitional Kindergarten through Grade Five). The Literacy Roadmap Content Blocks provide instructional recommendations that educators can use to support students as they develop across all areas of literacy and biliteracy. The blocks reflect an intentional approach to literacy that promotes carefully sequenced initial instruction, appropriate practice and reinforcement, intervention as necessary, and meaningful application in English language arts and other content areas.

The second document is the Preschool Through Third Grade (P–3) Learning Progressions for Language and Literacy Development. The P–3 Learning Progressions outline key developmental milestones and offer examples of play-based, inquiry-based instruction to support early literacy in both English and students’ home languages.

“In California, we’re focused on an approach to literacy that supports evidence-based instruction and high-quality professional learning,” said State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond, in a news release. “The Literacy Roadmap and the Literacy Learning Progressions provide teachers with key resources and tools they can use to support every child in learning to read with comprehension, write with expression, and explore the world of books with excitement.”

These professional learning tools have been endorsed by a broad coalition of experts in literacy and biliteracy instruction, including The Reading League, the California Association for Bilingual Education, and Californians Together.

Educators are encouraged to incorporate the materials into their summer and school-year professional development plans. The full Professional Learning Pack is available now at www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cl/.

As districts plan to adopt new ELA, math and/or science materials for the upcoming school year, they may want to consult a free, reliable resource to evaluate materials.
EdReports is a nonprofit organization that provides free reviews of preK through 12th grade instructional materials in math, science, and English language arts. These comprehensive reports are designed to help districts choose high-quality curricula aligned with academic standards and with strong teacher and student supports. Reports provide detailed information on the strengths of the program while also addressing areas that do not meet specific grade level criteria.
EdReports aims to empower district/school staff members as they review, evaluate and select materials that best meet district needs and priorities. Reviews of both core and ELA supplemental reading materials including textbooks, digital resources and open educational resources are included.
To access this free information visit www.edreports.org.