Literacy / English Language Arts

{Mother and Child reading a book}

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 New!  English Language Arts Position Statement - (2008) 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) serves as a guide for the development of PK-Grade 12 literacy PreK-8 English Language Arts Curriculum Standards - (Updated October 2009) This document represents the original 2006 framework with more comprehensive grade-level expectations and Connecticut Mastery Test correlations as a further delineation of standards.  The 2009 update includes formatting and minor changes to improve clarity.  The standards, GLE’s and Assessments have not changed Grades 3-8 Comprehension Pacing Guide - (2008) 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 Just Added October 2009!  Lessons by grade and content area across the disciplines. Assessment Connecticut Mastery Test - Fourth Generation - English Language Arts Handbook, Grades 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 Developmental Reading Assessment- second edition (DRA2) Developmental Reading Assesment (DRA) Q&A [DOC, 118KB] DRA2 sample parent letter (English) [DOC, 35KB] DRA2 sample parent letter (Spanish) [DOC, 33KB] Individual Reading Plan [DOC, 494KB] LAS Links Proficiency Descriptors [DOC, 101KB] Framework Proficiency Levels [PDF, 650KB]    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Teachers & Administrators Connecticut Reads - Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge The Connecticut Writing Project 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    CONTACT Amy F. Radikas, Consultant Email: amy.radikas@ct.gov Phone: 860-713-6762 Major Responsibilities: - K-3 Literacy - Early Reading Success - Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge Patricia Foley, Consultant Email: patricia.foley@ct.gov Phone: 860-713-6763 Major Responsibilities: - K-8 Literacy - Connecticut Mastery Test - Unit Coordinator Joanne White, Consultant Email: joanne.white@ct.gov Phone: 860-713-6751 Major Responsibilities: - K-3 Literacy - Reading First - SRBI/RTI

Content Last Modified on 11/4/2009 2:03:53 PM