Staff Resources
English-Language Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools - Publishing Information
When the English-Language Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve was adopted by the California State Board of Education on November 14, 1997, the members of the State Board were the following: Yvonne W. Larsen, President; Jerry Hume, Vice-President; Kathryn Dronenburg; Marion Joseph; Megan Kephart; S. William Malkasian; Marion McDowell; Janet G. Nicholas; Gerti B. Thomas; Robert L. Trigg; and Marina Tse.
This publication was edited by Faye Ong, working in cooperation with Greg Geeting, Assistant Executive Director, State Board of Education. The hard copy version of this document was designed and prepared for printing by the staff of the Publications Division of the California Department of Education, with the cover and interior design created and prepared by Cheryl McDonald. Typesetting was done by Gloria Barreiro. It was published by the Department of Education, 721 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, California (mailing address: P.O. Box 944272, Sacramento, CA 94244-2720). It was distributed under the provisions of the Library Distribution Act and Government Code Section 11096.
© 1998 by the California Department of Education
All rights reserved
ISBN 0-8011-1389-9
Modifications for Electronic Presentation
Some modifications have been made to this document for purposes of its electronic presentation as an HTML file. For example, in the hard copy version, running headers display grade level information on each page. As this is not possible in an HTML file, periodic reminders as to the grade levels of standards have been inserted in headings in parentheses. Also, grade level and subject area headings have been converted to all capital letters to help make them stand out. The actual text of the content standards is unchanged from the hard copy version.
Special Acknowledgment
The State Board of Education extends its appreciation and commendation to the members and staff of the Commission for the Establishment of Academic Content and Performance Standards (Academic Standards Commission) for their outstanding work in developing and recommending the English-Language Arts content standards to the State Board of Education under the provisions of Education Code Section 60605.
The members and staff of the Academic Standards Commission at the time of the approval of the draft English-language arts content standards were the following:
Ellen Wright, Chair*; Bob Calfee, Vice Chair*; Joseph Carrabino; Judy Codding; Dan Condron; John D'Amelio*; Linda Davis; Bill Evers; Andrew Galef; Jerilyn Harris; Dorothy Jue Lee*; Mark Ortiz; Judy Panton*; Raymund Paredes*; Alice Petrossian*; Kate Simpson*; Lawrence Siskind*; Larry Stupski; Jerry Treadway*; LaTanya Wright*; and Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin and her designee, Sonia Hernandez.
Note: The asterisk (*) identifies those members who served on the Academic Standards Commission's English-Language Arts Committee.
Special commendation is also extended to the leadership of Ellen Wright, Chair of the Academic Standards Commission; Scott Hill, Executive Director, Commissioner Alice Petrossian, Chair of the English-Language Arts committee; and State Board of Education Members Kathryn Dronenburg and Marion Joseph, whose significant contributions to the English-Language Arts ad-hoc committee deserve special recognition.
YVONNE W. LARSEN, President
California State Board of Education
Ordering Information
The hard copy version of this document is available for $9.25 each, plus shipping and handling charges. California residents are charged sales tax. Orders may be sent to the Publications Division, Sales Office, California Department of Education, P.O. Box 271, Sacramento, CA 95812-0271; FAX (916) 323-0823. The price of the publication is subject to change.
An illustrated Educational Resources Catalog describing publications, videos, and other instructional media available from the California Department of Education can be obtained without charge by writing to the address given above or by calling the Sales Office at (916) 445-1260.
Notice
The guidance in English-Language Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools is not binding on local education agencies or other entities. Except for the statutes, regulations, and court decisions that are referenced herein, the document is exemplary, and compliance with it is not mandatory. (See Education Code Section 33308.5.)
A Message from the State Board of Education and the
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Fifteen years ago the report A Nation at Risk, by the National Commission on Excellence in Education (1983), brought squarely to our attention a "rising tide of mediocrity" in our schools. An era of education reform began. The results were somewhat uneven. The reform movement did stimulate important infrastructure improvements: instructional time was increased, high school diplomas came to signify the completion of minimum course requirements, and emphasis was placed on local planning efforts to improve the schools' efficiency and effectiveness. A shortcoming of the movement up to this point has been the lack of focus on rigorous academic standards. The desire to improve student achievement guided the effort, but it lacked a comprehensive, specific vision of what students actually needed to know and be able to do.
Standards are a bold initiative.
With the adoption of these content standards in English-language arts, California is going beyond reform. We are redefining the state's role in public education. For the first time, we are stating-explicitly-the content that students need to acquire at each grade level through grade eight and in grades nine and ten and grades eleven and twelve. These standards are rigorous. With student mastery of this content, California schools will be on a par with those in the best educational systems in other states and nations. The content is attainable by all students, given sufficient time, except for those few who have severe disabilities. We regard the standards as firm but not unyielding; they will be modified in future years to reflect new research and scholarship.
Standards describe what to teach, not how to teach it.
Standards-based education maintains California's tradition of respect for local control of schools. To help students achieve at high levels, local school officials and teachers--with the full support and cooperation of families, businesses, and community partners--are encouraged to take these standards and design the specific curricular and instructional strategies that best deliver the content to their students.
Standards are an enduring commitment,
not a passing fancy.
Every initiative in public education, especially one so bold as establishing high standards, has its skeptics. "Just wait a while," they say, "and standards, too, will pass." We intend to prove the skeptics wrong, and we intend to do that by completely aligning state efforts to these standards, including the statewide testing program, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, professional development, preservice education, and compliance review. We will see a generation of educators who think of standards not as a new layer but as the foundation itself.
English language arts standards are the appropriate place to begin.
These standards--California's first published content standards--are appropriately for English language arts. Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are the gateway skills for success in education and careers and for full participation in our society.
Standards are our commitment to excellence.
Fifteen years from now, we are convinced, the adoption of standards will be viewed as the signal event that began a "rising tide of excellence" in our schools. No more will the critical question What should my child be learning? be met with uncertainty of knowledge, purpose, or resolve. These standards answer the question. They are comprehensive and specific. They represent our commitment to excellence.
YVONNE W. LARSEN, President
California State Board of Education
DELAINE EASTIN
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
