The California State Department of Education has adopted a new curriculum framework for English Learners in California, where one quarter of its students are English Learners. California is the first state to combine English language arts and English language development into a curriculum.

This video, featured in the Common Core Channel, provides an overview of the English Language Arts/English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework for California Public Schools. This resource is designed to help educators and other stakeholders learn more about the implementation of the CA Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for ELA and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects, and the CA ELD Standards.

In the new framework, language development for English learners is viewed as an integral part of their instruction in every curriculum area, plus small-group or one-on-one instruction in English for higher levels of proficiency.

Teachers will teach English to students who speak another language into their regular instruction by stressing certain key words. This will help students understand the content of subjects and words that connect, contrast, clarify, imply cause and effect, or explain a sequence of events.

The goal is for English learners to receive the same level of high-quality, rigorous instruction as their peers who speak English fluently.
In this ELA/ELD Framework, five key themes organize the discussion of the CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy and the CA ELD Standards:

• Meaning Making
• Language Development
• Effective Expression
• Content Knowledge
• Foundational Skills

Currently many districts are learning how to implement these new standards. Districts are not required to adopt these standards but are encouraged to consider them based on their students’ needs.
Download the new framework here.