Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

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.

California Literacy Home | California's Approach to Literacy & Biliteracy | Standards, Learning Foundations & Frameworks | Instructional Guidance & Materials | Screening & Assessments | Grants & Funding | Professional Learning & Webinars

Educator Preparation

Literacy and Reading Program Standards and Teaching Performance Expectations External link opens in new window or tab.
Senate Bill 488 (Chap. 678, Stats. 2021) required the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (Commission) to update their Multiple Subject, Single Subject in English, and Education Specialist program standards literacy and reading standards for the preparation of candidates and their corresponding Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs). Additionally, the bill requires the Commission to review teacher preparation programs and certify that they are providing instruction according to the updated standards and TPEs, as well as to develop a new literacy performance assessment to replace the current Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). The commission has opted to extend these requirements to the PreKindergarten through Third Grade (PK-3) Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential.

Administrative Services Credential Program Standards External link opens in new window or tab.
Assembly Bill 1545 requires the Commission to ensure that the program standards for the professional preparation of candidates for the reading and literacy leadership specialist credential, the reading and literacy authorization, and the administrative services credential includes preparation on how to support teachers in delivering instruction through effective means for teaching literacy.

Professional Development

Literacy Professional Development Programs External link opens in new window or tab.
AB 121, Section 15 (Statutes of 2025) of the Education Omnibus Trailer Bill added Section 33319.6 to the California Education Code (EC), authorizing the California State Board of Education (SBE) to approve and the California Department of Education (CDE) to post on its internet website by September 30, 2026, criteria and guidance for the selection or development of in-service professional development (PD) programs for effective means of teaching literacy in transitional kindergarten through grade five (TK‒5), with a list of in-service PD programs that have been deemed to meet those criteria. Learn more about the Literacy Professional Development Programs.

Webinars

2025–26 Informational Literacy Webinar Series

Explore the building blocks of California’s Comprehensive Approach to Literacy and Biliteracy. Discover how policy, planning, instruction, and tiered supports intersect—and learn how this alignment translates into effective classroom practices that strengthen teaching and improve student literacy outcomes.

Unlocking Impact - Using the Professional Literacy Learning Pack to Strengthen Instructional Practice (Recorded September 3, 2025)

Literacy Assessment and Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties (Recorded December 9, 2025)

Part 1: Highlighting Strategies to Support Equitable Practices in Literacy: California's Commitment to Black Student Success (Recorded December 11, 2025)

California Literacy Roadmap: Providing Best First Instruction and Intervention in Foundational Literacy Skills, Transitional Kindergarten through Grade Five (TK–5; Recorded January 15, 2026)

Part 2: Highlighting Strategies to Support Equitable Practices in Literacy: California's Commitment to Black Student Success (Recorded January 29, 2026)

Moving the Needle with High Impact Tutoring (Recorded February 9, 2026)

Accessibility Resources: From Classroom to Assessments (Recorded February 11, 2026)

California Literacy Roadmap: Providing Best First Instruction and Intervention in Integrated Reading and Writing, TK–5 (Recorded March 17, 2026)

Part 2: Moving the Needle with High Impact Tutoring (Recorded April 20, 2026)

Access the complete Informational Literacy Webinar Series playlist External link opens in new window or tab.

Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties Webinar Series

The Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties allows for early identification and intervention of reading difficulties, including dyslexia, for students in kindergarten to grade two. Pursuant to Education Code Section 53008, commencing no later than the 2025–26 school year, and annually thereafter, a district serving students in kindergarten or grades one or two shall assess each student in kindergarten and grades one and two for risk of reading difficulties using the one or more screening instrument(s) adopted by their governing boards from of the list of screeners approved by the Reading Difficulties Risk Screening Selection Panel December 16, 2024.

This series is developed by the Statewide Literacy Office to assist districts on next steps related to the screeners.

Webinar Links for Sessions 1 and 2

Session 1: Screening Overview

Session 2: Role of Screening

Session 3: Screening Multilingual Learners

Session 4: Addressing Reading Difficulties

Access the complete Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulities Webinar Series playlist External link opens in new window or tab.

English Language Arts (ELA)/English Language Development (ELD) Framework Webinar Series Playlist

This 9-part series is designed for all school, district, county, state, and higher education educators who want to learn more about California's recommended literacy policies and practices, as well as why the English Language Arts/English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework is as relevant today as it was in 2014. The series will explore how it is organized, what it offers, how it can be used, and how it supports Superintendent Thurmond's Literacy Campaign of "Reading by Third Grade and Beyond."

Session 1: Overview Comprehensive Literacy

Session 2: Foundational Skills

Session 3: English Language Development

Session 4: Language Development

Session 5: Meaning Making

Session 6: Effective Expression

Session 7: Content Knowledge

Session 8: Assessment & Intervention

Session 9: System Implementation

Access the complete ELA/ELD Framework Webinar Series playlist External link opens in new window or tab.

Questions:   California Statewide Literacy Office | statewideliteracycampaign@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Trending in California Literacy
Recently Posted in California Literacy
  • Grants and Funding (added 01-Sep-2026)
    Highlights state and federal initiatives that provide funding and support to expand literacy instruction, coaching, and intervention efforts.
  • Professional Learning and Webinars (added 01-Sep-2026)
    Offers professional development opportunities, including the Literacy Professional Development Program, webinar series, and training resources, to build educator capacity in literacy instruction.
  • Literacy Roadmap (added 01-Sep-2026)
    Guidance to help educators apply the ELA/ELD Framework, navigate resources and professional learning opportunities available to implement effective literacy instruction, and improve literacy outcomes for all students.
  • Screening and Assessments (added 01-Sep-2026)
    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.
  • Standards, Learning Foundations and Frameworks (added 01-Sep-2026)
    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 (added 01-Sep-2026)
    California’s literacy instructional guidance and materials, including the California Literacy Roadmap, provide resources and supports to translate California’s literacy vision and standards into effective classroom practice for all learners.
  • California’s Approach to Literacy and Biliteracy (added 01-Sep-2026)
    California’s research-based approach to literacy and biliteracy emphasizes equitable, evidence-based instruction and support systems to ensure all students develop strong literacy skills and graduate fully literate and prepared for future success.