Literacy/English Language Arts

Literacy/English Language Arts in Connecticut at the early grades focus on providing high-quality instruction to ensure the prevention of potential reading difficulties. Competencies include word identification skills, including fluent and accurate word identification while reading in context, comprehension, spelling and writing. From grades 4-12, literacy focuses on student aptitude with reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and presenting within English language arts and across all content areas.

 CSDE CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT PUBLICATIONS

Curriculum and Instruction

• Common Core State Standards - Effective July 7, 2010, the Connecticut State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English language arts and mathematics (Common Core State Standards). These standards establish what Connecticut’s students should know and be able to do as they progress through Grades K-12. CSDE will provide support for local education agencies as they transition from the 2006 English Language Arts  Curriculum Framework and the 2007 PK-8 Curriculum Standards, commonly referred to as the GLEs. Currently, documents that are intended to assist districts in CCSS-based curriculum revision and development are available. English Language Arts CCSS

• The Northeast Comprehensive Center, in conjunction w/the Connecticut State Department of Education, has developed a series of short videos to support the successful implementation of the ELA Common Core State Standards. The video series provides instructional strategies for Middle School teachers working to successfully engage English language learners with the ELA Common Core State Standards. The link below will take you to the series collection and corresponding handouts.

  http://www.northeastcompcenter.org/?p=9411

• English Language Arts Position Statement (2008)-PDF expresses the Connecticut State Board of Education's vision and goals of Literacy/English language arts education
  
  
• Connecticut English Language Arts Curriculum Framework: A Guide for the Development of Prekindergarten-Grade 12 Literacy (2006)-DOC serves as a guide for the development of PK-Grade 12 literacy
  
  
• PreK-8 English Language Arts Curriculum Standards-DOC [PDF] This February 2010 document represents the original 2006 framework with more comprehensive grade-level expectations and Connecticut Mastery Test correlations as a further delineation of standards. The 2010 update includes formatting and minor changes to improve clarity.  The standards, GLE’s and Assessments have not changed.
  
  
• Grades PK-8 Comprehension Pacing Guide (2008)-DOC assists districts with sequencing after-reading grade level expectations for a specific time period
  

Instruction

• Grades K-8 Sample Lesson Plans aligned with the curriculum standards:

Grade	Phonics	Fluency	Comprehension	Writing
	K	K	K	K
	1	1	1	1
	2	2	2	2
	3	3	3	3
		4	4	4
			5	5
			6
		7	7
			8	8

• Connecticut’s Blueprint for Reading Achievement, PK-3
  
  
• Beyond the Blueprint: Literacy in Grades 4-12 and Across the Content Areas
  
  Lessons by grade and content area across the disciplines.

Assessment

• Connecticut Mastery Test (Fourth Generation) English Language Arts Handbook, Gr. 3-8
  
  
• Introduction [PDF, 37 KB]
  
  
• Part I - Summary of Changes from CMT 3 to CMT 4 [PDF, 51 KB]
  
  
• Part II - Reading Comprehension [PDF, 16 MB]
  
  
• Part III - Degrees of Reading Power (DRP ®) [PDF, 1.9 MB]
  
  
• Part IV - Editing & Revising [PDF, 3.7 MB]
  
  
• Part V - Direct Assessment of Writing [PDF, 978 KB]
  
  
• Part VI - How to Get More Information [PDF, 32 MB]
  
  
• Connecticut Academic Performance Test - Third Generation - Reading and Writing Across the Disciplines Handbook, Grade 10

Updated December 3, 2012: Developmental Reading Assessment - second edition (DRA2)

The Developmental Reading Assessment (Second Edition) DRA 2 is mandated for all Connecticut Priority School Districts. The DRA 2 Questions and Answers document is updated annually to provide districts with administration and scoring guidance and protocols. The document also contains supporting materials such as: the Individual Reading Plan (IRP), LAS Links Proficiency Level Descriptors Grades 1-5, and Sample Parent/Guardian Letters in English and Spanish. If you have questions, contact Amy Radikas at amy.radikas@ct.gov or 860-713-6762.

• DRA2 Questions and Answers

Teachers & Administrators

• Connecticut Reads - Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge
  
  
• The Connecticut Writing Project - Central CT State University, Fairfield University, UConn

• Early Reading Success Grant [PPT, 81 KB]
  
  
• Everybody Wins!
  
  
• Florida Center for Reading Research
  
  
• Haskins Laboratories
  
  
• International Reading Association (IRA)
  
  
• The Lexile Framework for Reading
  
  
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
  
  
• Poetry Out Loud, Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism
  
  
• Read Write Think
  
  
• Tools for Reading, Writing, & Thinking
  
  
• What Works Clearinghouse

Parents & Community

• Connecticut State Department of Education Family Literacy
  
  
• International Reading Association Parent Resources
  
  
• National Institute for Literacy
  
  
• New Visions Opening the Door to Learning - Literacy is a Family Affair
  
  
• Literacy for Life! Empowering Your Preteen and Teen for Success – English version
  
  
• Literacy for Life! Empowering Your Preteen and Teen for Success – Spanish version

Students

• 9 Steps for Improved Understanding of True-Life Text [DOC, 34 KB]
  
  
• Guide to Grammar and Writing