English Language Arts
Developing literacy skills in reading, writing, speaking, and
listening is a collaborative responsibility of all educators. Classroom
learning experiences should enhance and expand the communication and
critical thinking skills that allow students to develop resiliency and
positive attitudes as they grow into effective readers, writers,
communicators, and life-long learners. The Pennsylvania Department of
Education embraces effective literacy teaching and learning through a
system that includes a comprehensive, research-based approach that
supports teacher effectiveness and student achievement.
Students graduating from Pennsylvania schools in the 21st century
need to be “future-ready” at the end of grade 12. Educators need to
rethink the ways by which they approach literacy instruction at all
levels, including early learning for students ages birth through five
years of age. Students must be able to read more challenging and
complex text; moreover, they will need experiences that enable them to
use literacy as a tool for learning the content in each of the academic
disciplines (i.e., science, social studies, math, and English language
arts). The availability of technology has created a need for new ways
of thinking about how students learn, as students of today have access
to many different technological devices and social media. At the same
time, many do not know how to use technological resources critically or
effectively (Castek & Gwinn, 2012). Furthermore, Pennsylvania has
always valued and supported early learning initiatives. Research has
shown how to incorporate language and literacy into early childhood
programs. Likewise, the importance of literacy across curricula has begun to assume more importance with the recognition that literacy skills are important for learning academic content.
Pennsylvania State Literacy Plan
Vision. All students in Pennsylvania from birth
through Grade 12 will become well-educated citizens with a command of
literacy that prepares them for the challenges of the 21st century and
enables them to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Mission. The Pennsylvania State
Literacy Plan (PaSLP) provides guidance to
stakeholders about their roles in developing an integrated, aligned,
and comprehensive set of literacy experiences for students. The plan
identifies and describes (1) essential evidence-based notions about
the content of literacy (birth-Grade 12) and (2) processes by which all
stakeholders (e.g., parents, care-takers, educators, community
members, etc.) involved in students’ literacy learning can facilitate
that learning in a coherent and consistent manner.
Standards Aligned System
The Pennsylvania Standards Aligned System
(SAS)is a collaborative product of research and good practice that
identifies six distinct elements which, if utilized together, will
provide schools and districts a common framework for continuous school
and district enhancement and improvement. Much research has been
conducted regarding what makes a great school. There are many
intangible components; however, research supports the notion that great
schools and school systems tend to have six common elements that
ensure Student Achievement: Standards, Assessment, Curriculum Framework,
Instruction, Materials & Resources, and Safe and Supportive
Schools.
PA Core Standards
English Language Arts for 21st Century students will be guided by the
Pennsylvania Core Standards in every Pennsylvania public school
classroom. Pennsylvania educators and educational experts have created a
thorough, rigorous, aligned, and articulated Pennsylvania Core
Standards unique document.
The English Language Arts Standards will continue to provide parents
and community members with information about what students should know
and be able to do as they progress through the educational program to
graduation. With a clearly defined target provided by the standards,
parents, students, educators, and community members become partners in
learning.
Professional Learning Community
Professional Learning Communities (PLC) provide users with the
ability to communicate and collaborate with educators from across the
Commonwealth via threaded discussion forums and blogs.
We encourage you to join the ELA Curriculum, Assessment, and
Instruction (CAI) Community. The ELA CAI Community provides a
collaborative environment to extend and enhance the discussion of
important issues, challenges, and ideas that promote success in the
teaching and learning of English Language Arts throughout the
commonwealth as well as access to numerous resources. Join the ELA CAI
Community by becoming a registered user of the Standards Aligned System.
Once you are a registered user, sign-in to your account, select My SAS
Tools, Communities, Find a Community, and search for ELA CAI
Community.