Highlights of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

The Common Core State Standards for English–
Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, 
Science, and Technical Subjects define what it means to 
be a literate person in the 21st century. You can download the CDE's document "Highlights of the Common Core Standards" for ELA.

"The Challenge of Challenging Text"

Timothy Shanahan, Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, "The Challenge of Challenging Text," Educational Leadership (March, 2012).   This article provides an overview of the elements of text complexity and instructional practices that teachers can use to support students in reading them. Download the article here.

Resources on Text Complexity

  • Achieve the Core: The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) emphasize increasing the complexity of texts students read as a key element in improving reading comprehension. Student Achievement Partners has added a set of resources regarding text complexity (Outside Source) to its Achieve the Core Web site. The collection includes new field-tested tools to measure quantitative and qualitative dimensions of text complexity as well as new research on text complexity offered as a supplement to Appendix A of the CCSS for English language arts and literacy.
  • TextProject includes modules on text complexity. There are five modules, all devoted to aspects of text complexity (e.g., definitions, assessments, developmental differences, genre differences). There are downloaded bundles that contain a guide for participants, an annotated guide for trainers, an article and all resources for the activities in the participant guide (e.g., texts to analyze). The modules were written by three long-time teacher educators Diana Grisham,  T.D. Wolsey and Freddy Hiebert.    

Companion to Qualitative Dimensions of Text Complexity:   

This "companion" document can be used as a tool for scaffolding reading comprehension instruction - prioritizing which features of a text need to be supported by instruction.  It is also a useful tool in helping teachers develop an understanding of the strengths and needs of students as readers.  You can download the document here.

The Progression of Reading Comprehension:   

"The Progression of Reading Comprehension" by P. David Pearson and David Liben discusses the key building blocks for helping students develop their reading comprehension skills.  Download the article here.

Useful Links

The Basal Alignment Project (grades 3-5) and the Anthology Alignment Project (grades 6-10) provides free lessons and resources that are aligned to the CCSS for ELA. You can link to the site or download and adapt materials that can be widely available to teachers and students. You can find out more about the Basal Alignment Project and the Anthology Alignment Project by clicking on the links below:

The new English Language Development (ELD) standards that were adopted on November 7, 2012 can be accessed on the California Department of Education website. You can access the overview as well ELD standards for each grade level by clicking on the link below:
You can find resources for helping students develop their Listening and Speaking skills here: