Literacy PD Programs Submission Questions

The purpose of this web page is to provide Literacy PD providers with the questions contained in the Literacy PD Programs Submission Form.  

Background

The California Department of Education (CDE) invites PD providers to submit programs for California State Board of Education (SBE) approval for use by local educational agencies (LEAs) for training transitional kindergarten through grade five (TK‒5) educators on effective means of teaching literacy. 

This opportunity is authorized by Assembly Bill 121, Section 15 (Statutes of 2025) of the Education Omnibus Trailer Bill, which added Section 33319.6 to the California Education Code (EC). EC Section 33319.6 directs the SBE to approve, and the CDE to post on its internet website, criteria and guidance for the selection or development of in-service PD programs for effective means of teaching literacy in TK‒5, inclusive, with a list of in-service PD programs that have been deemed to meet those criteria by September 30, 2026.  

This submission form is designed for PD providers to demonstrate how their program meets each of the criteria outlined in the SBE-approved Criteria and Guidance for the Selection or Development of Literacy PD Programs (DOCX). When completing this form, please reference the Invitation to Submit Literacy PD Programs (DOCX), which is available on the Literacy PD Programs web page, with careful attention to the Literacy PD Programs Evaluation Rubric (DOCX). 

In most cases, each PD program should be submitted separately. If the program meets all criteria, submit it on its own. If the program would meet all criteria if supplemented with another program, these programs may be submitted together. If you plan to submit two or more programs together, please contact the CDE at PD@cde.ca.gov in order to obtain confirmation that this option is appropriate for your submission 

To be eligible to submit a program, the CDE must have received your Intent to Submit form by January 12, 2026, and any applicable fees are due by February 13, 2026, as outlined in the Invitation to Submit. 

Participating PD providers must submit the following no later than 4 p.m. on February 20, 2026: 

• This Literacy PD Programs Submission Form
• Evidentiary Materials (via a CDE-provided Box.com folder)

Instructions

Participating PD providers must complete this online submission survey in order for their programs to be considered for SBE approval.

If you do not intend to complete this form in one sitting, select the Save Responses button. A page will appear that asks for your email address and provides you with a unique URL (web address) for entrance back into this application. You may opt to bookmark the page or enter your email address, and the link will be sent to you. Do not close this tab or your browser until you receive the unique URL. Otherwise, responses may be cleared.

It is recommended that respondents retain their survey responses prior to submission using the Print Responses button on the last page.

You will not be able to access or change your responses after selecting the Submit button.

All fields in the application are required unless marked as optional. If you have any questions regarding this form, please contact the Professional Learning Support Division (PLSD) team at PD@cde.ca.gov.

Professional Development Provider Information 

Did your organization submit an Intent to Submit Literacy PD Programs form to the CDE by January 12, 2026? 

• Yes
• No

If "No", please do not proceed. CDE may only accept submissions if an Intent to Submit was received on time. 

Organization Name: 

Primary Contact Information

Primary Contact First Name:  

Primary Contact Last Name:  

Primary Contact Title:  

Primary Contact Telephone Number: (999-999-9999)

Primary Contact Extension: (optional)  

Primary Contact Email Address:  

Fiscal Agent Information (optional)

Fiscal Agent First Name:  

Fiscal Agent Last Name:  

Fiscal Agent Title:  

Fiscal Agent Telephone Number: (999-999-9999)  

Fiscal Agent Extension:   

Fiscal Agent Email Address:  

List any PD partners associated with this submission: (if applicable; 750 characters maximum) 

Professional Development Program Information

List the program title(s) included in this submission: (750 characters maximum) 

Provide a brief description of the program: (1,000 characters maximum) 

Describe the format of the program, identifying virtual and in-person components, which components are completed independently, and which are to be completed synchronously with a group: (1,000 characters maximum) 

Describe the amount of time that is required for an educator to complete the training: (750 characters maximum) 

Describe the pricing structure of the program: (1,000 characters maximum) 

Reporting Requirements 

To be considered for approval, PD providers must agree to the following obligations. 
Select to confirm your agreement to each of the following: 

• Submission of an annual report at the end of each grant year, which shall include, but not be limited to: Identification of which programs are utilized by each participating LEA, details regarding implementation, and outcome measures and related data. 
• Provision of additional data upon request: The CDE reserves the right to request program-related data at any time, beyond the annual reporting requirements, to support monitoring, evaluation, and compliance activities. 
• Participation in surveys, research studies and evaluations conducted by or on behalf of the CDE to assess the effectiveness of statewide literacy initiatives. 

Narrative Responses 

PD providers have an opportunity to demonstrate that the program submitted for review meets each required criterion by providing both of the following: 

• Detailed Narrative Response: Each response must describe how the PD program submission addresses the evaluation criterion.  
• Citations of Evidentiary Materials: The citations must clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which the criterion is addressed. Citations are considered to be exemplars rather than an exhaustive list, but should provide sufficient evidence to clearly demonstrate full coverage of all parts of each criterion statement. All citations must reference item number, title, and page numbers or other location indicators so that they may be easily located by reviewers (e.g., Item 2: Slide Deck A, slides 3–4).  

PD providers will upload evidentiary materials to a CDE-provided Box.com folder. All accompanying materials must be documented on the Evidentiary Materials Form (XLSX), which will be uploaded to this submission form.

Literacy PD providers submitting programs for state approval are responsible for ensuring that each response is thorough and citations of evidentiary materials are clear. Submissions will be evaluated based solely on the information provided and the evidentiary materials cited in the submission survey. 

Prior to composing responses, be sure to carefully review the Criteria and Guidance for the Selection or Development of Literacy PD Programs (DOCX) and the Literacy PD Programs Evaluation Rubric (DOCX). 

Area 1: Professional Development Model and Delivery  

In-service PD for teaching literacy follows the precepts of effective, evidence-based PD aligned to the SBE-approved Quality Professional Learning Standards (QPLS) (PDF): data; content and pedagogy; equity; design and structure; collaboration and shared accountability; resources; and alignment and coherence. As such, programs must attend to the following criteria specified in EC 33319.6 . 

1. A. Describe how the program provides evidence-based models of effective PD, as outlined in the QPLS, focused on effective means of teaching literacy. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion A is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
2. B. Describe how the program is interactive and collaborative. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion B is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
3. C1. Describe how the program provides adequate time and structures to master the concepts being taught, including: opportunities for feedback, reflection, and coaching. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion C1 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
4. C2. Describe how the program provides adequate time and structures to master the concepts being taught, including: periodic checks to demonstrate mastery of the concepts. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion C2 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 

Area 2: Effective Means of Teaching Literacy 

In-service PD is aligned to evidence-based practices in state-adopted literacy documents and standards for universal, comprehensive literacy instruction in grades TK–5, including the California English Language Arts/English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework and the California Dyslexia Guidelines. Refer to the California Literacy Roadmap Content Blocks for descriptions of each of the foundational skills, language, integrated reading and writing, and comprehensive ELD. 

1. D1. Describe how the program attends to explicit and systematic instruction in print concepts. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion D1 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
2. D2. Describe how the program attends to explicit and systematic instruction in phonological/phonemic awareness. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion D2 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
3. D3. Describe how the program attends to explicit and systematic instruction in phonics, decoding, and word recognition. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion D3 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
4. D4. Describe how the program attends to explicit and systematic instruction in reading fluency. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion D4 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
5. E1. Describe how the program attends to oral language development. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion E1 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
6. E2. Describe how the program attends to vocabulary development. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion E2 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
7. E3. Describe how the program attends to background knowledge. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion E3 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
8. E4. Describe how the program attends to comprehension. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion E4 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
9. E5. Describe how the program attends to writing. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion E5 is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
10. F. Describe how the program attends to evidence-based means of teaching English learner students, including newcomer students, with integration of comprehensive ELD (designated and integrated) in literacy development. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion F is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
11. G. Describe how the program attends to early intervention techniques and tiered supports for students with reading difficulties, including students with dyslexia and students with exceptional needs. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion G is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
12. H. Describe how the program attends to ongoing diagnostic techniques that inform teaching and assessment. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion H is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
13. I. Describe how the program is aligned to the ELA/ELD Framework, including the themes of foundational skills, meaning making, language development, effective expression, and content knowledge. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion I is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 
14. J. Describe how the program is aligned to the California Dyslexia Guidelines, including how to identify early indicators of dyslexia and implement structured literacy practices. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion J is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum)

Optional Criterion: Evidence of Effectiveness 

Note: Programs may provide evidence of impact to the extent it is available. This criterion would not disqualify a program from approval if absent. 

Select if this applies to your program: (if applicable) 

• The program has evidence of a positive impact on student and/or educator outcomes. 

1. K. Describe evidence of a positive impact on student and/or educator outcomes. Include citations that clearly identify the location(s) in the accompanying evidentiary materials in which criterion K is addressed: (5,000 characters maximum) 

Submission Materials 

Upload your completed Evidentiary Materials Form (XLSX).

No other materials submitted with this survey will be reviewed. All evidentiary materials must be submitted via a CDE-provided Box.com folder as outlined in the Invitation to Submit Literacy PD Programs (DOCX). 

Print and Submit

For a record of your responses, please select the Print Responses button below before submitting. Your form will open in a new tab or window, from there you may print or else save your responses as a PDF. After printing or saving, you must return to this window to submit your form.  

Once you select the Submit button below, your Literacy PD Programs Submission form will be submitted to the CDE, and you will be redirected to the Literacy PD Programs web page. Your responses will not be submitted and may be lost if you close this form window before selecting Submit. 

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