New California Framework for reading and English language arts

[George Sheridan <learn@jps.net>]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-english18apr18,1,5902896.story 
(free registration required)

Guidelines for Teaching English Are Adopted (Los Angeles Times, April 18, 
2006)
By Carla Rivera, Times Staff Writer
April 18, 2006

A divided state Board of Education on Monday adopted far-reaching new 
guidelines for reading and English language arts textbooks aimed at 
California's elementary and middle school students, despite objections that 
the materials do not do enough to help students struggling to learn English.

The new curriculum, passed on a 6-4 vote, is critical because it will be 
used to provide detailed guidance for textbook publishers who will supply 
the books, teacher guides and other instructional materials for classrooms 
over much of the next decade.

The guidelines specify criteria for oral and written vocabulary 
development, writing and reading comprehension.

For the first time, the criteria seek to incorporate the needs of English 
learners, with additional instruction and assessments before and after 
regular classroom time.

Supporters contend that the curriculum will provide California with some of 
the most rigorous standards in the nation and ensure equity for all students.

But in a packed hearing room, opponents told board members that the 
guidelines do not go far enough in addressing the needs of the 1.6 million 
students who speak little or no English. They proposed an additional option 
that would allow school districts to incorporate extra instruction for 
English learners during regular class periods.

They said the new guidelines amount to a "one-size-fits-all" approach that 
does not take the divergent needs of children into account. And they cited 
test scores that show that, while students overall are progressing 
academically, the achievement gap for English learners is widening.

"We're outraged and can't believe that the state of California is prepared 
to say that one program fits all of the kids," said Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, 
a member of the group Californians Together, an English-learners advocacy 
group.

Earlier in the hearing, Darline P. Robles, superintendent of the Los 
Angeles County Office of Education, told the board that school districts 
must have flexibility.

And state Assemblywoman Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) told board members that 
the new guidelines represent the "status quo" that has not addressed the 
needs of the residents in her district, many of whom are English learners.

She noted that California spends more than $500 million on new textbooks 
every six years.

"As chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, I do not believe in 
wasting money that does not support a large percentage of the students in 
this state," Chu said.

Board members who voted against the guidelines said they were undecided on 
other options and sought further review.

But many other speakers supported the new curriculum and voiced concerns 
that other options might lead to segregating English learners from other 
students.

"These criteria ensure that all students are held to the same standard," 
said Michael Romero, director of reading for the Los Angeles Unified School 
District. "The additional vocabulary instruction will be greatly 
appreciated and effectively utilized by thousands of students in our district."

Textbook selection in California is a complex, yearlong process layered by 
multiple committees and reviews. The final product is a framework, which 
includes textbook criteria, that is submitted to the state Board of 
Education for approval or modification.

Textbook publishers then shape their materials to meet the criteria. Panels 
check content accuracy, scholarship and adherence to state standards. 
Committees also review social content, such as gender roles and depictions 
of racial, religious and ethnic groups. The board then makes final 
selections. New materials are adopted on a six-year cycle. The new 
selection will be used starting in 2008 and will be the standard through 2014.

Elementary and middle schools must spend most of their textbook funds on 
state-approved materials.

In recent decades, publishers ? seeking a foothold in the state's lucrative 
market ? have been willing to adapt materials in an effort to meet 
California standards.

See the entire Reading/Language Arts Curriculum Framework from the 
California Board of Education at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/rl/cf


George Sheridan