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ELA/ELD Framework

The State Board of Education adopted the English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework (ELA/ELD Framework) on July 9, 2014. Curriculum frameworks provide guidance to educators, parents, and publishers, to support implementing California content standards.

English Language Arts

2014 English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework

Assembly Bill 250 (Chapter 608, Statutes of 2011) calls for the revision of the English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework to align with the California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects and incorporate the California English Language Development Standards

Framework

  • 2014 English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework (ELA/ELD Framework) (Dated Jul-2015)
    The 2014 ELA/ELD Framework has been developed to support and incorporate the California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy) and the California English Language Development Standards (CA ELD Standards). The SBE (California State Board of Education) adopted the ELA/ELD Framework on July 9, 2014. This is the final digital version of the ELA/ELD Framework.

  • Executive Summary: English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework External link opens in new window or tab. (Dated Oct-2015).
    The executive summary provides a glimpse into the ELA/ELD Framework and the guidance it provides for educators, including descriptive snapshots and vignettes of grade-level instruction.

    Contact the CDE Press at 1-800-995-4099 or visit CDE Press web page.

  • Making Meaning of the California Mathematics and ELA/ELD Frameworks – Helpful Tools for Every Audience (DOC)
    This summary provides concrete examples on how the ELA/ELD and Mathematics Frameworks, Executive Summaries, and Parent/Guardian Brochures can be used by stakeholders to more effectively implement the California standards.

  • Video: Overview of the ELA/ELD Framework (Video; 10:40) (Dated 24-Feb-2015)
    This video provides an overview of the English Language Arts/English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework for California Public Schools, which provides guidance to teachers, administrators, and other educators for implementing the CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy and the CA ELD Standards.

Content Standards

Implementation Support

Circles of Implementation

  • The Circles of Implementation figure and corresponding narrative description (which appears in the State Board of Education-Adopted ELA/ELD Framework, Chapter 2, on Page 4) have been translated into Spanish to support the implementation of the ELA/ELD Framework. The English version is provided for reference.
    Circles of Implementation (PDF; Posted Jan-2016)
    Los Círculos de la Implementación (PDF; Updated Mar-2016)

Implementation Support for the ELA/ELD Framework

  • Implementation Support for the ELA/ELD Framework (20 Jan-2017)
    This select collection of resources connects the content in the ELA/ELD Framework with other resources from the California Department of Education, as well as other reputable sources that address the five key instructional themes: meaning making, effective expression, language development, content knowledge, and foundational skills. The intent of this collection is to provide educators additional resources they can use to expand the scope of the guidance in the ELA/ELD Framework and to inform professional development and instructional decisions at all schools and districts.  

Guides for Supporting English Learners and the Five Key Themes in the ELA/ELD Framework

Resources with an English Learner Emphasis

Resources Tracing the Five Key Themes

  • A Guide for Tracing the Meaning Making Theme (DOC; Revised Mar-2016)
    This guide is intended to support California educators in the use of the components within the ELA/ELD Framework that focus on meaning making, which is at the heart of ELA/literacy and ELD instruction.

  • A Guide for Tracing the Language Development Theme (DOC; Posted 29-Mar-2016)
    This guide is intended to support California educators in the use of the components within the ELA/ELD Framework that focus on language development, which is at the core of the California ELA/Literacy strands—Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language.

  • A Guide for Tracing the Effective Expression Theme (DOC; Posted 29-Mar-2016)
    This guide is intended to support California educators in the use of the components within the ELA/ELD Framework that focus on effective expression, which is essential for students to effectively communicate their understanding and thinking.

  • A Guide for Tracing the Content Knowledge Theme (DOC; Posted 29-Mar-2016)
    This guide is intended to support California educators in the use of the components within the ELA/ELD Framework that focus on content knowledge, which is vital for students to successfully acquire, construct, and convey knowledge.

  • A Guide for Tracing the Foundational Skills Theme (DOC; Posted 29-Mar-2016)
    This guide is intended to support California educators in the use of the components within the ELA/ELD Framework that focus on the foundational skills of literacy—print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency—which are crucial for literacy achievement.

    Watch a video overview of Guides for Supporting the Five Key Themes in the ELA/ELD Framework External link opens in new window or tab. (Video; 5:15)

Additional Resources Supporting the Implementation of the ELA/ELD Framework

  • Chart of ELA/ELD Framework Snapshots and Vignettes | PDF; Posted Jul-2015)
    Brief snapshots and longer vignettes are included throughout the ELA/ELD Framework to provide examples of instruction. This chart lists all the snapshots and vignettes, by chapter, and includes the grade level, page number(s), and indicates the different content areas each snapshot and vignette addresses. (Note: In the items column, “S” stands for a snapshot, and “V” represents vignettes.)

  • ELA/ELD Framework Snapshots (PDF; 2MB; Posted Jul-2015)
    The snapshots in chapters 3–7 provide examples of instructional strategies for transitional kindergarten through grades eleven and twelve in ELA, ELD, and other content areas. In chapters 8–11, the snapshots are examples of possible scenarios for multiple grade levels in other systems of support, such as assessment, access and equity, or 21st century learning. All snapshots for the ELA/ELD framework, chapters 3–11, are compiled into this document.

  • ELA/ELD Framework Vignettes: Chapters 3–7 (PDF; 2MB; Posted Jul-2015)
    Two vignettes are provided for each grade level (for Transitional Kindergarten [TK] to grade 8) and grade span (grades 9–10 and 11–12). These vignettes offer more in-depth examples of classroom practices, including connections to other disciplines and scaffolding for modifications for all students, including instruction for integrated and designated ELD. All vignettes, by chapter and grade-level, for chapters 3–7 are compiled into this document.

  • ELA/ELD Framework Vignettes Summary Sheet
    List developed by the San Joaquin County Office of Education of all the vignettes and their title/content by grade level. Each grade-level section has a pair of vignettes: an ELA/Literacy with integrated ELD vignette and a companion designed ELD vignette.

  • Chart of ELA/ELD Framework Figures (PDF; Jul-2015)
    A variety of figures (including charts, definitions, descriptions, explanations) are included throughout the ELA/ELD Framework to provide more detailed support for implementation and instruction. This chart lists all the figures, by chapter, with figure titles and page number (s).
    • ELA/ELD Figures: Introduction – Chapter 2 (PDF; 8MB; Posted Jul-2015)
      All figures (includes charts, diagrams, definitions, descriptions, explanations) for the introduction and chapters 1 and 2 are compiled into this document
    • ELA/ELD Figures: Chapter 3–7 (PDF; 5MB; Posted Jul-2015)
      All figures (includes charts, diagrams, definitions, descriptions, explanations) for the grade-level chapters 3–7 are compiled, by chapter, into this document.
    • ELA/ELD Figures: Chapters 8–11 (PDF; 11MB; Posted Jul-2015)
      All figures (includes charts, diagrams, definitions, descriptions, explanations) for systems of support, such as assessment, access and equity, and 21st century learning are compiled, by chapter, into this document.

  • Support for Primary Language and Dual Language Programs – A Summary (PDF)
    Los Angeles County Office of Education has developed a summary in the use of primary language support and instruction including bilingual and dual language programs found in the ELA/ELD Framework. The purpose of the summary is to support useful professional learning discussions and supporting in designing programs for ELs and references where primary language and dual immersion instruction occur within the framework.

  • California State ELA/ELD Resources for Local Planning External link opens in new window or tab. (Video; 6:31) In this video, Tom Adams, Deputy Superintendent from the California Department of Education, shares selected State resources that can assist in local planning efforts regarding the implementation of the ELA/ELD Framework.

  • Highlighting the Needs of English Leaners in the Framework Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) has developed two web pages to provide easy access to resources within the ELA/ELD Framework that specifically highlight practices, programs, and structures that address the needs of English learners. Links connect to Framework Snapshots and Vignettes External link opens in new window or tab. and Framework Figures External link opens in new window or tab..

  • Foundational Skills of the California Common Core State Standards (CA CCSS) for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (PDF; Updated Sept-2015)
    Paper highlighting selected key concepts and guidelines from the ELA/ELD Framework regarding the foundational skills of reading with a focus on the skills as they relate to literacy development in English.

  • Secondary Literacy Partnership Webinar Series: ELA/ELD Implementation: Teachers Lead the Way! External link opens in new window or tab.
    Presenters Nancy Brynelson and Jo Ann Isken, lead developers of the ELA/ELD Framework, gave an orientation to the Framework via the new Executive Summary and guided participants in activities exploring the Framework’s vignettes, figures, and snapshots. They also shared strategies for collaboration and professional learning. (Presented on October 14, 2015.)

  • Secondary Literacy Partnership Webinar Series: A Close Encounter, Through the Writers’ Eyes, of the New ELA/ELD Framework External link opens in new window or tab.
    The lead writers of the ELA/ELD Framework - Pam Spycher, Hallie Yopp Slowik, and Nancy Brynelson – share important understandings in the framework, including instructional strategies that support the goals of the CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy and the CA ELD Standards. (Presented on September 17, 2014.)

  • California’s Recently Adopted English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework: Translating the Common Core State Standards to a Coherent and Sequenced Curriculum for All Students (PDF)
    Article by Jo Ann Isken, Chair, and Bill Honig, Vice Chair, of the California Instructional Quality Commission and Carol Jago, contributing writer to the ELA/ELD Framework and Associate Director of the California Reading and Literature Project at UCLA.

Resources

CCSS English Language Arts Resources
Resources to support the teaching of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English language arts (ELA).

CCSS and CA ELD Standards Resources
Resources to support the teaching of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) with the California English Language Development Standards (CA ELD Standards).

CCSS Literary Resources
Resources to support the teaching of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for literacy in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects.

Integrating the CA ELD Standards into K-12 Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (DOC)
State Board of Education approved Correspondence Study Report that demonstrates a strong correspondence between the California ELD Standards and the California standards for mathematics and science.

Content Standards
Links to downloads of all Content Standards.

All Curriculum Frameworks
Links to downloads of all Curriculum Frameworks.

Questions:   Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division | CFIRD@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0881
Last Reviewed: Thursday, August 24, 2023
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