NOTICE: Coronavirus Guidance for School Districts: Per Governor’s executive order, in-school class cancellations remain in effect until at least April 20, 2020.
Emergency Meal Programs: The State Department of Education is authorizing two distinct categories of COVID-19 Emergency Meal Programs in accordance with federal requirements: 1) COVID-19 Emergency Meal Program Limited to Students Attending School in Specific Districts. School districts on this list are only authorized to serve meals to students attending their schools, and any other child age 18 years or younger residing in the same household; 2) COVID-19 Community-wide Emergency Meal Program for Children. Any child age 18 years or younger can receive meal(s) at any meal service and distribution sites in these towns/cities. They do not have to be a resident or attend school in these towns/cities. Check these links often as more locations continue to be added.

Literacy/English Language Arts

Overview

Curriculum and Instruction

  • Connecticut Common Core Standards Toolbox
  • Common Core State Standards: Effective July 7, 2010, the Connecticut State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), now called the Connecticut Core Standards, in English language arts and mathematics. These standards establish what Connecticut’s students should know and be able to do as they progress through Grades K-12. The 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. Curriculum Development Tools and Support.
  • New! CSDE K-2 Literacy Learning Walk Form 
  • New! K-2 Literacy Learning Walk Debrief Discussion Guide
  • The Northeast Comprehensive Center, in conjunction with 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. Series collection and corresponding handouts.
  • English Language Arts Position Statement (2008): Expresses the Connecticut State Board of Education's vision and goals of Literacy/English language arts education.

Foundations of Reading Survey

Information for district administrators and teachers about the implementation and administration of the reading survey, as mandated in Section 13 of Public Act 13-245.

Research-based Universal Screening Reading Assessments for Grades K-3

On July 9, 2014, the Connecticut State Board of Education (CSBE) approved a menu of research-based K-3 reading assessments for Grades K-3. The menu of research-based reading assessments must be used by districts for the purpose of Universal Screening for Reading of the entire K-3 student population. Commencing July 1, 2016, these reading assessments have been approved for use by districts to assist in identifying, in whole or in part, students at risk for Dyslexia or other reading-related learning disabilities. The menu of research-based K-3 reading assessments is a model for all Connecticut school districts to follow. Connecticut Priority School Districts are required by statute to submit K-3 reading assessment results multiple times per year. 

Priority school districts K-3 Universal Reading Assessments
  Assessment windows Performance Office submission due dates
 Fall September 9, 2019 –  October 4, 2019 October 25, 2019
Winter January 20, 2020 – February 14, 2020 March 1, 2020
Spring April 27, 2020 – May 22, 2020
 June 10, 2020
Summer  Substantially Deficient Promotion Data Collection
   Database opens September 16, 2020 September 30, 2020

If you have any questions regarding assessment requirements, email Joanne White or call (860) 713-6751. For questions regarding the K-3 reading data portal, email Gil Andrada or call (860) 713-6883.

For more information, follow the links below: