California

The purpose of this document is to capture state-by-state information of policy and guidelines related to the science of reading / evidence-based reading instruction to be presented on The Reading League Compass, a website of reliable and reputable guidance and resources for targeted stakeholder groups.

Local control?

Yes

Has your state passed legislation and/or non-legislated rule changes related to the science of reading?

Yes. In 2021 California passed legislation to revise the literacy standards for teacher preparation programs and the Teacher Performance Expectations (TPES) that teacher candidates must meet to earn their credential. The legislation included specific criteria, aligned with the research consensus on effective reading instruction, that the new literacy standards and TPEs must include.

Legislation mandating screening for risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia, and the development of a list of approved screeners was passed in 2023. School districts are expected to begin implementation of the screening in the 2025-26 school year.

In 2024 legislation was passed allocating 25 million dollars for educator training on administration of reading difficulties screeners.

The California Department of Education, in consultation with the State Board of Education, is developing the California Literacy Roadmap per Section 117 of the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill 114. The Literacy Roadmap will help educators apply the ELA/ELD Framework to classroom instruction and navigate the resources and professional development opportunities available to implement effective literacy instruction.

Does your state have an approved curriculum list?

Yes. California has a list of approved curricula that align to the state’s ELA/ELD framework. LEAs are not required to adopt programs from the list.

Was evidence-aligned reading instruction a consideration for the curriculum review?

California has a list of approved curricula that align to the state’s ELA/ELD framework, which is based on the Common Core State Standards.

Does your state mandate or provide guidance on early screening?

Yes. Legislation mandating screening for reading difficulties and the development of a list of approved screeners was passed in 2023.

Please describe any other assessment work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable

The Smarter Balanced Assessment System utilizes computer-based tests and performance tasks that allow students to show what they know and are able to do. It is based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics and has three components designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year: the summative assessments, the interim assessments, and the Tools for Teachers formative assessment resources.

Does your state have policy or guidance related to MTSS that incorporates information on the science of reading and/or evidence-based literacy practices?

California has MTSS guidance. It does not explicitly integrate the science of reading.

Does your state have policy or guidance related to instruction and/or professional development

English Language Arts (ELA)/English Language Development (ELD) Framework

The ELA/ELD Framework provides a blueprint for the implementation of two sets of interrelated standards: the California Common Core State Standards: ELA/Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects and the California ELD Standards. The ELA/ELD Framework describes a comprehensive and integrated model of literacy that offers evidence-based literacy instruction in the classroom, including explicit instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, and other decoding skills, as well as the development of vocabulary, comprehension, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

California Dyslexia Guidelines

The California Department of education published the California Dyslexia Guidelines in 2017 and updated in 2018. The Guidelines are to be used to assist regular education teachers, special education teachers, and parents to identify and assess students with dyslexia, and to plan, provide, evaluate, and improve educational services for these students.

Quality Professional Learning Standards

California has many sets of standards and expectations to guide policies, programs, and personnel effectiveness. Each set of standards serves a unique function and are complementary to the other standard sets. The Quality Professional Learning Standards identify characteristics of professional learning that are most likely to support educators in building individual and collective capacity to meet professional, school, and student performance expectations.

Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading?

English Language Arts (ELA)/English Language Development (ELD) Framework

The ELA/ELD Framework provides a blueprint for the implementation of two sets of interrelated standards: the California Common Core State Standards: ELA/Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects and the California ELD Standards. The ELA/ELD Framework describes a comprehensive and integrated model of literacy that offers evidence-based literacy instruction in the classroom, including explicit instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, and other decoding skills, as well as the development of vocabulary, comprehension, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

Resource Guide to the 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

The purpose of this document is to elucidate and highlight selected key concepts and guidelines from the ELA/ELD Framework regarding the foundational skills of reading and to direct readers toward specific discussions of the foundational skills in the framework.

California Dyslexia Guidelines

The California Department of education published the California Dyslexia Guidelines in 2017 and updated in 2018. The Guidelines are to be used to assist regular education teachers, special education teachers, and parents to identify and assess students with dyslexia, and to plan, provide, evaluate, and improve educational services for these students.

Comprehensive State Literacy Plan

California has many existing policies, guidance documents, and structures designed to improve literacy for all California students. While several investments and initiatives have focused on their implementation, the SLP provides an opportunity to align and integrate these resources in order to demonstrate how they are connected and best utilized in a coherent way. A comprehensive and integrated literacy model ensures high-quality literacy instruction occurs within the context of inclusive and equitable systems of schooling featuring high levels of engagement, a focus on continuous improvement, and application of the California Multi-Tiered System of Support Framework. The Comprehensive and Integrated Literacy Model presented in the SLP sets the direction for literacy programs statewide by aligning and integrating state literacy initiatives. It also sets the direction for activities outlined in the SLP Continuous Improvement Process section.

California Literacy Roadmap

The California Department of Education, in consultation with the State Board of Education, is developing the California Literacy Roadmap per Section 117 of the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill 114. The Literacy Roadmap will help educators apply the ELA/ELD Framework to classroom instruction and navigate the resources and professional development opportunities available to implement effective literacy instruction.

*The focus of grants in the following section has largely been professional learning in evidence-based practices. One example is Project Arise which created learning modules on topics such as executive functions and literacy. foundational skills, comprehension and knowledge building, and iIntensive iIntervention and data based individualization.

Please describe any grant work that names the science of reading and/or evidence-aligned instruction including links, where applicable

Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialist Educator Grant

The California legislature allocated 500 million dollars to support the development of school literacy programs, employ and train literacy coaches and reading and literacy specialists, and develop and implement interventions for students in need of targeted literacy support. The professional development that is being provided to participating LEAs aligns closely with the research consensus on effective reading instruction.

Reading Instruction and Intervention Grant (2021–2026)

This $10 million state grant funds the Contra Costa COE to generate and disseminate professional learning opportunities in the areas of evidenced-based literacy, intensive literacy interventions, and support of students’ executive functioning skills (Project Arise). The professional learning is intended to help teachers be successful in teaching reading and providing needed supports to students struggling to read.

Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (2019–2024)

This $37.5 million federal grant funds the California Department of Education (CDE) and seven county offices of education (COEs) that serve as local literacy lead agencies (LLAs), to support development of students’ literacy birth through grade twelve. This grant also funded development of the Comprehensive State Literacy Plan, which aligns and integrates statewide literacy initiatives, content standards, and guidance documents.

***California has applied for the new 2024 CLSD Grant and is awaiting notification.

California Dyslexia Initiative (2019–2024)

This $4 million state grant funds the Sacramento COE to build statewide capacity to provide early intervention services and supports for students with specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, including identifying effective identification and treatment models and developing and delivering professional learning.

Early Literacy Support Block Grant (2020–2024)

This $50 million state grant funds the CDE and 34 local educational agencies (LEAs) with 73 eligible participating schools that have the highest percentage of students in grade three scoring at the lowest achievement standard level on the State Summative English Language Arts (ELA) assessment. An additional $3 million funds the Expert Lead in Literacy (Sacramento COE) to support identified LEAs to conduct a root cause analysis, prioritize identified needs, and develop literacy action plan to implement over three years. The grant supports LEAs to provide high-quality literacy teaching and interventions as well as and family and community engagement.

Has your state reviewed standards for alignment to the science of reading?

California’s literacy standards are based on the Common Core.

Do you have policy or guidance regarding how to leverage evidence-based practices to support secondary students?

CALIReads

California’s previous State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) initiative, CALIReads, focused on evidence-based adolescent literacy practices.

CLSD

California Department of Education (CDE) has engaged in multiple literacy grants (e.g., Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialist Grant, Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD), Reading Instruction and Intervention Grant) that support all students, including our adolescent youth. For example, the CLSD Grant resulted in professional learning, materials, and resources for literacy for programs birth to age five, TK to grade five, as well as grade six to twelve. In particular, three CLSD subgrants are focused on improving literacy outcomes for students in grades 6-12 across California.

California Literacy Roadmap

The Literacy Roadmap will help TK-12 educators in English-medium and multilingual settings use the ELA/ELD Framework, along with other resources, to offer evidence-based literacy instruction in the classroom. Moreover, it will provide practical direction for literacy instruction and intervention across content areas in alignment with California’s adopted standards.

California Collaborative for Learning Acceleration (CCLA)

Engage in free professional learning through the CCLA online repository of high-quality asynchronous courses for literacy and language development. Each course integrates Universal Design for Learning, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and social-emotional learning practices within the Multi-Tiered System of Support framework. Courses are approximately 60 minutes.

Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading and Multilingual learners?

California Literacy Roadmap

The California Department of Education, in consultation with the State Board of Education, is developing the California Literacy Roadmap per Section 117 of the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill 114. The Literacy Roadmap will help educators apply the ELA/ELD Framework to classroom instruction and navigate the resources and professional development opportunities available to implement effective literacy instruction in English-medium and multilingual program settings.

Does your state have licensure or program approval criteria to ensure Educator Preparation Programs are aligned to the science of reading?

In 2021 California passed legislation to revise the literacy standards for teacher preparation programs and the Teacher Performance Expectations (TPES) that teacher candidates must meet to earn their credential. The legislation included specific criteria, aligned with the research consensus on effective reading instruction, that the new literacy standards and TPEs must include. The legislation also requires that teacher candidates (elementary and special education) pass a literacy performance assessment to earn their credentials. The new performance assessment will be required as of July 1, 2025.

Do you have a “contact us” website that we can share publicly on TRL Compass?

Use the interactive state map to find descriptions of state-level policy adoption, guidance, and practices related to the science of reading. State policy may include legislation incorporating training or practices related to the science of reading or state education agency guidance regarding policy, professional development, curricula, instruction, or assessment.

Filter by specific topic area(s) to find state-specific work: 

The Reading League expresses gratitude to our collaborators and associates within the state education agencies for sharing their state-specific data. This data will undergo semi-annual updates, contingent upon the availability and resources of the respective state agencies. For any inquiries, clarifications, or updates, please reach out to compass@thereadingleague.org.