Literacy and Language

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the educational landscape, offering innovative tools and approaches that enhance teaching and learning across all subjects, including literacy and language. AI in education encompasses a range of technologies that can personalize learning experiences, assist teachers with administrative tasks, and provide new ways for students to engage with educational content.

While the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) offers several resources and services to support AI integration, we also recognize the value of diverse perspectives and expertise in this rapidly evolving field. Therefore, we've curated a selection of resources from reputable educational institutions, research organizations, and technology leaders to provide a well-rounded understanding of AI's role in education.

Our goal is to empower educators with knowledge and tools to effectively and responsibly incorporate AI into their teaching practices, ultimately enhancing student learning outcomes in literacy and language development.

General AI Education Resources​​​​

1. Edutopia: AI in Education

• Edutopia AI in Education
• Description: Articles and resources about the impact and use of AI in education.

2. ISTE (International Society for Technology in ​Education)

• ISTE AI in Education
• Description: Resources and articles on integrating AI in classrooms and educational settings.

3. ​AI4K12

• AI4K12
• ​Description: Guidelines and resources for teaching AI in K-12 education.

AI Tools for Educators

4. Common Sense Media: 11 AI Tools

• Education AI Tools

• Description: AI tools designed to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

5. Microsoft Education: AI in the Classroom

• ​Microsoft Education AI

• Description: Tools and resources from Microsoft to integrate AI into the classroom.

Professional Development and Courses

6. AI for Education

• AI for Education Webinar Series
• Description: Weekly series covering various topics that demystify AI

7. Coursera: AI for Everyone by Andrew Ng

• AI for Everyone

• Description: A popular introductory course to AI, suitable for educators wanting to understand the basics of AI.

8. Google Generative AI for Educators

• Google AI Certification

• Description: Self-paced 2-hour course built by AI experts at Google in collaboration with MIT RAISE

9. UCI: Digital Learning Lab / Pens & Pixels

• Pens & Pixels

• Description: 2023 world conference with scholars and educators, links include videos and slides

​Research and Case Studies

10. The Brookings Institution: AI in Education Reports

• Brookings AI in Education
• Description: Research articles and reports on the impact of AI in the education sector.

11. OECD: AI and the Future of Education

• OECD AI in Education
• Description: Reports and insights on AI's role in the future of education.

​12. UCI: Digital Learning Lab

• Generative AI in Education
• Description: Current research on how AI is being used in K-12 education.

California's AI Regulation​

Find out how the state sets the standard with its comprehensive policies and laws on AI use and management. Check out these links to official California government resources:

• Bias Audits in Pretrial Tools: Criminal justice agencies must evaluate biases in AI-powered tools. CA SB 36

• CDE AI Guidance: Supports implementation of generative AI in education AI Resource Kit 

• Deepfake Regulation in Electoral Campaigns: Addresses the use of deepfakes with legislation requiring disclosure. CA AB 730

• Facial Recognition Limitations: Prohibits the use of facial recognition technology in police body cameras. CA AB 1215

• Governor's Executive Order on AI: Outlines the state's commitment to studying and developing policies for responsible AI use. Executive Order

• Guidelines for Purchasing Generative AI Tools: Provides state agencies with guidelines for acquiring generative AI technologies. AI Guidelines

• ​Transparency Laws for Bot Use: Mandates disclosure when bots are used in certain communications to prevent deception. CA SB 1001​

For more information, please contact Virginia Reischl at vreischl@ocde.us​

Our team excels in delivering California Standards-based instruction, training, coaching, and intervention strategies. We ensure that every aspect of the school system works together to improve student achievement. We offer a range of transformative, research-based strategies that empower teachers to deliver exceptional instruction, meeting the unique needs of every student. Join us in our mission to foster an inclusive and innovative learning environment for all.

Literacy and Language Custom Contracts Catalog

Contacts |​ Virginia Reischl at vreischl@ocde.us​ & Laurie Virtusio at lvirtusio@ocde.us

​​​​What is ERWC?

ERWC is the Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum from the California State University system. Students successfully completing the modules develop skills, knowledge, processes, and dispositions in the following areas of academic literacy: reading rhetorically, writing rhetorically, listening and speaking rhetorically, and habits of mind. The modules are aligned with the CA State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy (CCSS for ELA/Literacy).

To learn more about ERWC, download the ERWC Information Sheet​ or go to the ERWC Online Community.

Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) 24-Hour Training Series: This professional development training will help teachers prepare students to meet college and university expectations. Teachers will learn the what and why of ERWC. We offer both online and in-person training.  See below for information.

To view all available ​ERWC classes, click h​ere​.​​

For more information, please contact Virginia Reischl at vreischl@ocde.us

ERWC Team

• Dr. Chris Street - CSUF Professor of Secondary Education
• Dr. Soomin Chau - CSUF Professor of Secondary Education
• Dr. Virginia Reischl - ERWC Coordinator
• Jennifer Beall - OCDE ERWC Facilitator
• David Cagley - Fullerton Union High School Teacher
• Christy Kenny-Kitchen - Buena Park High School Teacher
• Kimberly Moore - Westminster High School Teacher

What is the Screener for Risk of Reading Difficulties?

California law—through Senate Bill 114, added as Education Code Section 53008 — requires statewide, annual screening of all kindergarten through second-grade students for reading difficulties (including dyslexia) starting in the 2025–26 school year. The purpose is early identification of potential reading difficulty and instructional response.

Important Updates:

• Updates to EC Section 53008 for 26-27:
  • Kindergarten screening timeline: Screening for the purpose of identifying students at risk of reading difficulties may not occur before the 91st day of the school year. No timeline restrictions were adopted for students in grades 1–2.
  • Adequate foundational reading instruction: LEAs are expected to consider whether students have received sufficient foundational reading instruction before administering a screening. The California Department of Education will develop guidance to help define and support this requirement by January 31, 2027. *More on this to come!
  • Screening administration: LEAs are strongly encouraged to administer screening instruments one-on-one or in small groups, consistent with publisher guidance.
  • Funding: The budget includes $40 million to support implementation of the Reading Difficulties Risk Screening, maintaining the same level of funding provided in 2025–26.  (Assembly Bill 126, Section 119 (Chapter 65, Statues of 2026)

For RDRS and Students with an IEP, the CDE's Special Education Division has shared the following:

• ​Beginning in the 2025 - 2026 school year, accommodations for the Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties may be added to a student's IEP, as determined by each student's IEP team. It is anticipated that these accommodations may be added in the Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties section located within the Statewide Assessments portion of the student's IEP.

• A student's IEP team should consult the particular screening instrument's instructions/manual for information pertaining to accommodations for that screening instrument, including whether particular accommodations may not yield valid screening results.​​

The additional $40 approved funding for Reading Screening will be dispersed in January 2027. Funding allocations by district can be found here (link coming soon). Districts will receive $37.74 per K-2 student. This time, funding can be used for “any costs associated with the implementation of EC Section 53008, including, but not limited to, the procurement of screening instruments, screening administration, and training for school employees to administer pupil screenings in kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 to assess for risk of reading difficulties using approved screening instruments." ​

For more information or questions about the RDRS contact Amber Fleming-Morales at 
afleming-morales@ocde.us

OCDE Support: Implementation​

Instructional Response Resources:

• Screener Component Overview K-2
• Screener Component Overview by Grade
• Family Resources

​Implementation Planning Resources:​

• RDRS Planning Guide (make a copy)
• RDRS Planning Digital Notebook
• Video Recording

Sample Communication:

• Sample Reading Screener Family Notification Letter
• Sample Reading Screener Family Results Letter
• Sample Overview Training  
• Planning for Screening Multilingual Learners Resource/Checklist
• Sample Alternative Process
• OCDE Translation Services
• Sample Opt-Out Tracker
• Comparisons of Language Differences vs. Reading Difficulty
• List of Diagnostic Tools
• Instructional Response Resources​

OCDE Support: Adoption:

• ​Reading Screener Adoption Digital Notebook: This digital notebook provides extensive information on the background of the legislation and the adoption process.

• Pilot Resources:
  • Sample Pilot Planning Process
  • Sample Pilot Notification Letter

​Legislation Summary (Education Code 53008)

• ​​​This screening is not an evaluation or diagnostic tool for eligibility for special education (53008 g 2)
• Screening to be considered part of comprehensive instructional strategy; to be used to inform individualized instruction, measure progress, identify learning needs, & enable parents and educators to discuss learning needs in informed way (53008 a 1)
• Not to be used for any high-stakes purpose
• All K-2 students to be screened each year (unless opted out); when to screen during the year determined by LEAs (53008 e)- TK students do not need to be screened. 
• Parents & guardians may opt out of screening (53008 e, f,& j). Student may be exempted with prior written consent of parent or guardian if current diagnosis, eligible for special  education or 504, or in the process of being assessed for special education (53008 i)*
• Students enrolled after screening is conducted must be assessed within 45 days (53008 f)
• Notifications to parents and guardians: 
  • Information about screening, date(s), and instructions for opting out 15 days before screening (53008 j)
  • Results of screening, including how to interpret results and next steps, within 45 days (53008 k)
• Screening in primary language, if instrument is available (53008 h)
• If a screening instrument is not available in at least one language in which the student is proficient, the student's risk for reading difficulties will be evaluated through an analysis of the student's developmental history, educational history, and literacy progress, taking into account the student's home background and evolving English language abilities, including speaking, listening, reading, spelling, and writing
• LEAs shall provide appropriate supports and services for students identified as being at risk:
  • 1. Evidence-based literacy instruction focused on specific needs
  • 2. Progress monitoring
  • 3. Early intervention in the regular general education program
  • 4. One-on-one or small group tutoring
  • 5. Further evaluation or diagnostic assessment
• $25 million one-time Prop 98 General Funds to support necessary costs, including RDRS Adoption Toolkit training for educators to administer screenings- $21.16 per K-2 student.
  • Funding Allocations by District 
  • ​Funding Allocation FAQ's
• Pilots are optional but may be helpful in the selection process (must be done by June 2025 for board approval)

Approved Screening Tools

Note: This table represents a summary of the information. See CDE Overviews link for full information. 

​​Resources​

• ​​CONSIDERATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS WHEN ADOPTING A READING DIFFICULTIES SCREENER FOR MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS
• RDRS Adoption Toolkit 
• Process Chart
• Overview of SB 114
• https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cl/
• List of Recommended Screeners 
• Reading Screener FAQs 

 

For more information contact:​

Primary Contact
Amber Fleming-Morales at afleming-morales@ocde.us​
Coordinator of Elementary Literacy & Language

Virginia Reischl at vreischl@ocde.us
Coordinator of Literacy & Language

Trish Walsh at twalsh@ocde.us
Director of Academic Content & Instructional Support

2026 ELA ELD Follow Up Adoption

CA State Standards, MTSS, Frameworks​

English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework of California Public Schools

Overview of the ELA/ELD Framework

CA State Standards, MTSS, Frameworks

CA Dyslexia Guidelines​ - Guidelnes that assist general and special education teachers, administrators, and parents in identifying, assessing, and supporting students with dyslexia.

CA English Learner Roadmap - Guide to assist local educational agencies to implement California's 21st century college-and-career-ready standards, curriculum, instruction programs, and assessments. The CA EL Roadmap articulates a common vision and mission for educating English learners and supports LEAs as they implement the CA State Board Policy.

• EL Roadmap: Immigration Policy & Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Implications​

CA Practitioners' Guide for Educating English Learners with Disabilities​  - Guide that provides information on identification of ELs, MTSS, interventions, pre-referral and referral, assessment, individualized education program processes, educational programs and instructional strategies, proposing exit from special education services, and reclassification from English learner status.

California MTSS Framework​ - ​California's Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a comprehensive framework that aligns academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning in a fully integrated system of support for the benefit of all students. MTSS offers the potential to create needed systematic change through intentional design and redesign of services and supports to quickly identify and match to the needs of all students.​

• MTSS and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)​

• MTSS and Special Education​

• MTSS and English Learners​

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Resources - Culturally Relevant Pedagogy helps students to uphold their cultural identities while developing fluency in at least one other culture. Per Gloria Ladson-Billings, there are three components to this theoretical model: student learning and academic success, cultural competence, and recognizing and being critical of societal inequalities.

• Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching All Students Equitably (Education Northwest)

• Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (National Council to Teachers of English Resource)​

• Social Justice Standards: A Framework for Anti-bias Education (Learning for Justice Resource)​​

ELA/Literacy Standards - Current K-12 state standards for ELA/Literacy​

EL Rise! - Microsite with free webinars for supporting ML Learners.​

ELD Standards - Microsite with free webinars for English Language Development. 

​English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework of California Public Schools - The ELA/ELD Framework provides guidance to educators for implementing the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History-Social Science, Science, and Technical Subjects (CCSS for ELA/Literacy) and the California ELD Standards.​

Overview of the ELA/ELD Framework

Literacy Content Blocks​ - ​Literacy Content Blocks are a central element of the California Literacy Roadmap. The purpose of the California Literacy Roadmap is to provide current and comprehensive, yet concise, guidance to help educators implement effective literacy instruction for all California students. Specifically, it is designed to help educators apply the English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework for California Public Schools (ELA/ELD Framework) to classroom instruction, navigate available resources and professional learning opportunities, and improve literacy outcomes for all students, with a focus on equity.

Long-Term English Learners Resources -  The research and policy work on Long Term English Learners (LTELs) by California Together has created urgency for the state and nation to focus on this group of English Learners.

• Meeting the Unique Needs of LTELs: A Guide for Educators
• Reparable Harm: Fulfilling the Unkept Promise of Educational Opportunity for CA's LTELs​
• Secondary School Courses Designed to Address the Language Needs and Academic Gaps of LTELs​​

Support for Immigrant and Refugee Students​ - Resource developed by Californians Together that provides a multi-pronged approach toward creating a safe learning environment for students of all backgrounds.

Educator Resources

ELA Literacy Resources

Achieve the Core​ - Free, ready-to-use classroom resources that align to college- and career-ready standards, including the Common Core​: Anthology Alignment Project​​, Basal Alignment Project, Text Set Project, ELA/Literacy Lessons, Academic Word Finder​​, Kentucky Text Set, Text Set Design Microcredential, Building Knowledge Mini-Course, Foundational Skills modules and resources & more.

AdLit.org - AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers.

Assessment Resources - ACT | SAT | CLEP College Level Examination Program

CommonLit: Digitial Library and Instructional Tools​ - CommonLit Literacy Model is built on a foundation of over 2,000 high-quality free reading passages for grades 3-12, complemented by aligned interim assessments, growth-oriented data, and expert-led teacher development.​

Indigenous Voices of San Juan Capistrano - Free online resources for the Acjachemen (Juaneno) community

Khan Academy - Khan Academy is an American non-profit educational organization. Its goal is to create a set of online tools that help educate students. The organization produces short video lessons. Its website also includes supplementary practice exercises and materials for educators.

Learning for Justice​ - Free online resources for educators that supplment the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

​Library of Congress - Digital collections, including primary sources, of US history

Reading Rockets / Colorin Colorado - Reading & English Language Learner best practices and strategies.

School Library Book Selection Toolkit​ - The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) offers these book selection suggestions to enrich the educational experience through diverse, inclusive, and engaging library selections. Informed by AB 1078, our suggestions are designed to guide the selection of library and classroom materials that support our student population's educational goals, standards, and diverse needs.

Shanahan on Literacy​ - Timothy Shanahan's research emphasizes the connections between reading and writing, literacy in the disciplines, and improvement of reading achievement.

Social Justice Books - Selection of multicultural and social justice books for children and educators. SocialJusticeBooks.org is a project of Teaching for Change, a non-profit organization whose mission to provide teachers and parents with the tools to create schools where students learn to read, write and change the world.

• ​Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books​

​TeachingBook.net - ​All California educators, librarians, and other professionals may freely start using TeachingBooks.net by entering their work e-mail address at www.teachingbooks.net​

Text Project​ - Strategies, tools, and texts to bring beginning readers and struggling readers to high levels of literacy​.

​ELD Multilingual Education

Californians Together​​​ - Californians Together, a coalition of education, civil rights, parent/caregiver, community, and advocacy organizations, champions the educational success of California’s more than 1.1 million English learners. Resources and Professional Learning to support ML Learners.

CA English Learner Roadmap - These toolkits are designed to help classroom teachers understand and make meaning of the CA EL Roadmap policy. They include tools for individual and collective assessment of practices through the lens of the EL Roadmap principles, enabling teachers to hone in on their ownprofessional learning needs and priorities.

• Teacher Toolkit​

​English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) - The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) website serves as the portal for resources that a local educational agency (LEA) will need to administer the ELPAC.​

​​English Learner Toolkit of Strategies​ - This toolkit is designed to be used in both Integrated and Designated English Language Development. The strategies address reading, writing, speaking and listening to prepare ELs for literacy in the 21st century.​

English LearnerNewcomer Toolkit - The Newcomer Tool Kit is designed to help U.S. educators; elementary and secondary teachers, principals, and other school staff who work directly with immigrant students—including asyleesand refugees—and their families.Thisresource has 5 chapters, and contains an overview, sample tools, and resources.

MAS​ - The Multilingual Academic Services team partners with educators and leaders to provide customized professional learning and guidance designed to uplift English learners and advance high-quality multilingual education.​​

​OCDE Project GLAD® National Training Center - The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) is the official National Training Center (NTC) for the Project GLAD® (Guided Language Acquisition Design) model. The goal of the NTC is to support Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in building sustainable implementation structures to meet the needs of English learners/emergent bilinguals through the development of trainers.

• OCDE Project GLAD®  en español

Resourcesfor Emergent Bilinguals and Translanguaing - The CUNY-NYSIEB website provides resources to educators to better understand translanguaging as a strategy that teachers could use to help students draw on their linguistic resources in order to make meaning of content, engage in learning, and to develop language practices for academic use.

Instructional Materials

ELA/Literacy and ELD

California Curriculum Collaborative - Curated resource, reviews, adoption steps, and FAQs.​

CDE Recommended Literature List - A collection of outstanding literature for children and adolescents in grades pre K -12 in all disciplines.

CDE ELA/ELD Instructional Materials Website - Information and resources for ELA/ELD instructional materials.

• 2015 ELA/ELD Adoption Reports of Findings 

• Instructional Materials Price List

• CDE Learning Resource Display Centers

EdReports - EdReports national instructional materials evaluations. You can compare titles and grades, look across grade bands within a title, dig into detailed evidence in grade-level reports. Making the Most of Your Materials Resource

English Learner Success Forum - The English Learners Success Forum (ELSF) connects high-quality content developers with English learner experts to enhance instructional materials to address the linguistic and cultural needs of English learners.

Open Up Resources - Open Up Resources began as the K-12 OER Collaborative, a 13-state initiative to address quality gaps in the curriculum market. They partner with leading math and ELA experts to design excellent, standards-aligned core programs. Free online curriculum. (K-5)

SBE Adopted ELA/ELD Framework Chapters - ​The framework provides guidance to the new ELA/ELD standards implementation. For information specific to instructional materials, refer to Chapter 12: Instructional Materials to Support the CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy and CAL ELD Standards .

Teaching Books- Early Literacy Resources - Nourish connections to books, support the acquisition of literacy skills, and encourage the love of reading with this rich and ever-growing collection of resources and tools for PK–2 titles. Includes early literacy resources, video readings of standards-aligned text along with activities.

UFLI Foundations Toolbox - Free foundational skills resources aligned with UFLI Foundations Toolbox. Foundations is an explicit and systematic phonics program that introduces students to the foundational reading skills necessary for proficient reading. Foundations follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence. Foundations is designed to be used for core instruction in the primary grades or for intervention with struggling students in any grade.​

Parent/Family Resources

​​​Literacy and Family Engagement

Explore OCDE's Literacy and Family Engagement resources designed to strengthen partnerships between schools and families. Discover ready-to-use family literacy activities, professional learning resources, and practical tools that help families foster a love of reading, writing, speaking, and learning together.

CA State Standards

​Achieve the Core - Parent and Community Resources Website - ​Information and resources about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for students, parents, and guardians.

CAASPP Student and Parent Resource Page​ - California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress System​​.

CA PTA CCSS Website - ​The California PTA continues to provide high-quality resources for parents and guardians to learn more about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and what it means for their child. On its Web site, you will find a single page informational flyer for parents and guardians available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

ELAC and DELAC Guidance from the CDE - ​Information about the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) and the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)​

• ELAC: English / Spanish
• DELAC: English / Spanish

ELPAC Resources for Parents -Resources for parents to learn more about the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).

Khan Academy - A personalized learning resource for all ages Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more.

• English
• Spanish​

Parent/Guardian Overview of CA State Standards - Resources for parents/guardians to understand the CA State Standards. Developed by Sacramento County Office of Education.

• ELA/Literacy (English) K-2 / 3-5​ / 6-8 / 9-12​​
• ELA/Literacy (Spanish) K-2 / 3-5 / 6-8 / 9-12​​
• CA ELD Standards: English / Spanish​​​

ELA/Literacy and ELD

AdLit.org​ - AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers.

¡Colorín Colorado! - ​Resources for bilingual parents and families that offer tips on helping children learn to read, succeed in school, and learn a new language. The resources also provide information about the U.S. school system and share ideas on how to build a relationship with teacher and school.

• English
• Spanish​

Common Sense Media - Media and technology resources, recommendations, and advice for families.​

• For Latino Families (Spanish)​

Literacy Central ​ - Reading is Fundamental's ​Literacy Central provides parents with resources for helping children to read, reading and literacy activities, and activity calendars.

Reading Ro​ckets​ - 

​Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.

Community Reading Programs and Resources

(Website Translators Available in Multiple Languages)

• Anaheim Public Library​
• Fullerton Public Library​
• Huntington Beach Public Library​​
• Mission Viejo Library​
• Newport Public Library​
• Orange Public Library​​
• Placentia Library​
• Santa Ana Library​
• Yorba Linda Public Library​

OC Public Library Locations​ and Parent Resources​

Please note that all CA residents with a valid identification can join the OC Public Libraries. City libraries in Orange County might have different requirements.