California Literacy
Guidance and resources for teachers and families in Preschool through twelfth (P–12) grade schools regarding evidence-based literacy instruction.Start Here
Use the sections below to access literacy guidance, policy, initiatives, and resources.
- California’s Approach to Literacy and Biliteracy
California’s comprehensive approach to literacy and biliteracy, including its research foundation, instructional priorities, and commitment to equitable literacy outcomes for all students. - Standards, Learning Foundations, and Frameworks
California’s standards, learning foundations, and frameworks establish expectations for student learning, describe early learning and development, and provide guidance for implementing high-quality instruction. - Instructional Guidance and Materials
California’s literacy instructional guidance and materials, including the California Literacy Roadmap, provide educators with evidence-based resources and implementation supports to translate California’s literacy vision and standards into effective classroom practice for all learners. - Screening and Assessments
Provides guidance and resources to support California’s Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties requirements, including approved screening instruments, implementation tools, assessment information, and early intervention supports for students.
- Grants and Funding
Highlights state and federal initiatives that provide funding and support to expand literacy instruction, coaching, and intervention efforts.
- Professional Learning and Webinars
Offers professional development opportunities, including the Literacy Professional Development Program, webinar series, and training resources, to build educator capacity in literacy instruction.
Announcements
Provides updates on upcoming webinars, professional learning opportunities, newsletters, and recent state guidance related to literacy initiatives and programs.
Screening Multilingual Learners for Risk of Reading Difficulties
The Statewide Literacy Office in partnership with the Curriculum Frameworks Instructional Division is pleased to invite you to a statewide webinar designed to support educators in screening Multilingual Learners (MLLs) in kindergarten and grades one and two for risk of reading difficulties.
- Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
- Time: 3:00–4:45 p.m.
- Registration: Register for the Screening Multilingual Learners for Risk of Reading Difficulties webinar
This webinar will provide valuable information for teachers, administrators, and other staff involved in screening MLL students for risk of reading difficulties.
Reading Difficulties Risk Screener (RDRS) Legislative Update
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 126 (2025–26 Omnibus Education Trailer Bill), Education Code (EC) 53008(e) has been amended. The amended statute:
- Prohibits a local educational agency (LEA) from administering a screening instrument to a kindergarten pupil before the 91st schoolday of the school year for the purposes of identifying pupils at risk of reading difficulties (EC 53008(e)(2))
- Strongly recommends administering the screening instrument on a one-on-one or small-group basis in accordance with the administration instructions for each screening instrument on the approved list (EC 53008(e)(3))
AB 126, via EC 53008(e)(4), further requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to develop and disseminate guidance to LEAs by January 31, 2027, regarding the implementation of the requirements in EC 53008(e)(2).
In addition, AB 126, via EC 53009.5, provides $40 million in funds for the 2026–27 fiscal year for allocation to LEAs that administer literacy screenings to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 for risk of reading difficulties to support implementation of the requirements of EC Section 53008.
Literacy Professional Development Program
- Education Code (EC) Section 33319.6 authorizes the California State Board of Education (SBE) to approve, and the California Department of Education (CDE) to post by September 30, 2026, criteria and guidance for selecting or developing in-service professional development (PD) programs for effective means of teaching literacy in TK through grade five (TK–5). A list of approved PD programs meeting these criteria will also be published.
- AB 121, Section 83
approved $200 million one-time funds for local educational agencies (LEAs) to train certificated and classified staff who provide literacy instruction, or who support any teacher who provides literacy instruction, to pupils in grades TK‒5, using PD programs that meet the criteria and guidance approved pursuant to EC Section 33319.6. from the 2026–27 to the 2029–30 fiscal years.
- For more information, go to Literacy Professional Development Programs.
2026 English Language Arts/English Language Development Instructional Materials Follow-up Adoption (TK–8)
- Assembly Bill 121 (Education finance: education omnibus budget trailer bill, Section 89, statutes of 2025–26) directs the CDE to partner with one or more research organizations, institutions of higher education, or other nonprofit organization with expertise in evidenced-based literacy instruction to develop guidance to support the follow-up adoption conducted pursuant to Education Code Section 60227. The guidance was approved by SBE on November 6, 2025.
- For more information, go to English Language Arts Instructional Materials.