State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced last week that California has taken the next step in implementing its approach to teaching English learners.

The State Board of Education approved instructional materials for kindergarten through eighth grade. California is the first state to integrate English language arts/literacy (ELA) and English language development (ELD), which makes language development a core part of the curriculum and not an isolated part of the school day.

“This is a big step because these instructional materials can help teachers develop the language skills of English learners throughout the school day,” Torlakson said. “I’m proud California is a leader in this area. We will continue to welcome all students to our classrooms and work with them to inspire learning. The one-quarter of our students who are English learners are an asset to our state and will continue to foster growth for all of us.”

Of the 27 programs submitted for consideration, the State Board of Education approved 25. Nearly 200 educators and the Instructional Quality Commission reviewed the materials. Of the 25 adopted programs, 17 were basic grade-level programs and eight were intervention programs.

Local school districts will now begin their own process of reviewing the materials to determine which of the adopted programs best meet the needs of their students. The board believes that by providing a variety of choices, including a number of technology-based programs, districts have greater flexibility to design and implement a curriculum.

The adopted programs are on display for public review at Learning Resources Display Centers across the state. For more information about the 2015 ELA/ELD adoption process, visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/rl/im/.