Latest news with #CaliforniaLiteracyRoadmap
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
California Reveals Plans to Boost Literacy as 1 in 4 Struggle with Reading
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond have announced new resources to boost literacy in the state—where almost a third of adults struggle with basic reading. In a news release last week, the California Department of Education announced the California Literacy-Biliteracy Professional Learning Pack, describing it as "a comprehensive suite of resources" designed to enhance literacy instruction and support educators across the state in improving student outcomes, particularly among younger readers. A file photo shows a library in a school in New Jersey. A file photo shows a library in a school in New It Matters California has one of the worst literacy rates in the country. An estimated 28 percent of adults have the lowest literacy level in English, according to the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. Meanwhile, the latest test results from the 2023-24 school year found that a majority of students in grades three to eight did not meet the standards for reading. Only in 11th grade did more than half of students meet or exceed state standards. What To Know The learning pack includes two literacy guidance documents, according to the state Department of Education. The first is the California Literacy Roadmap's Literacy Content Blocks for English-Medium Classrooms, designed for transitional kindergarten through grade five. 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 department said in the news release. The second document is the Preschool Through Third Grade Learning Progressions for Language and Literacy Development, which outlines key developmental milestones and offer examples of "play-based, inquiry-based instruction to support early literacy in both English and students' home languages." The department said the learning tools have been endorsed by a board coalition of experts in literacy and biliteracy instruction, including The Reading League, the California Association for Bilingual Education, and Californians Together. What People Are Saying California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement: "In California, we know that learning to read is the start of the pathway to success. The Literacy Roadmap highlights our multifaceted approach to improving literacy for California's students, including current and proposed initiatives. "When added to our other investments in literacy coaches and reading specialists at high-needs schools and professional development for teachers, we are doubling down on our commitment to ensure no student falls behind in their reading." State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said in a statement: "Literacy is foundational to lifelong learning and academic success. With this release, California takes a significant step forward in providing educators with the tools they need to foster strong literacy and biliteracy development from the earliest years of learning as we move the needle on student achievement, particularly for our youngest readers." California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher criticized the plan in a statement to The Center Square: "This is classic Newsom. Dress up failure in a bunch of edu-buzzwords and hope no one notices kids still can't read. There's no mention of the state's collapsing test scores. No push for real phonics-based instruction." What's Next The California Department of Education said educators are encouraged to incorporate the materials from the learning packs into their summer and school-year professional development plans.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New literacy pack aims to boost reading skills for students across California
( — State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday the release of the California Literacy-Biliteracy Professional Learning Pack. California Department of Education stated that this would be a comprehensive suite of resources designed to improve literacy instruction and support educators across the state in improving student outcomes, especially for younger readers. Defense Intelligence Agency IT Specialist arrested for allegedly sharing classified information 'In California, we know that learning to read is the start of the pathway to success. The Literacy Roadmap highlights our multifaceted approach to improving literacy for California's students, including current and proposed initiatives,' Governor Newsom said. 'When added to our other investments in literacy coaches and reading specialists at high-needs schools and professional development for teachers, we are doubling down on our commitment to ensure no student falls behind in their reading.' The new Professional Learning Pack includes two crucial literacy guidance documents, CDE stated. The first is set to be the California Literacy Roadmap's Literacy Content Blocks for English-Medium Classrooms, which is focused on transitional Kindergarten through Grade Five. The roadmap provides instructional recommendations that educators can use to support students as they develop across all areas of literacy and bitliteracy, according to Newsom. The blocks will reflect an intentional approach to literacy that will promote sequenced initial instruction, appropriate practice and reinforcement, intervention as necessary, and meaningful application in English language arts. 'Literacy is foundational to lifelong learning and academic success,' said Superintendent Thurmond. 'With this release, California takes a significant step forward in providing educators with the tools they need to foster strong literacy and biliteracy development from the earliest years of learning as we move the needle on student achievement, particularly for our youngest readers.' The second document is Preschool through Third Grade Learning Progressions for Language and Literacy Development, which will outline key developmental milestones and offer examples of play-based, inquiry-based instruction to support early literacy in both English and students' home languages, according to CDE. '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. '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.' Over $120M in banned cannabis seized by CA task force CDE said that these professional learning tools have been endorsed by a board coalition of experts in literacy and biliteracy instruction, which includes 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, said CDE. The full Professional Learning Pack can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
