California READS (CA READS) is an AB 121 state-approved, evidence-based literacy professional learning program designed to strengthen educator knowledge and practices for high-quality literacy instruction in Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 5 (TK–5).

Grounded in the California ELA/ELD Framework, California ELA Standards, California Dyslexia Guidelines, and the Science of Reading, California READS connects literacy research to classroom practice and supports educators in meeting the diverse literacy and language needs of all learners. 

California READS complements and builds upon the local Sacramento County READS initiative by aligning statewide evidence-based literacy practices with regional efforts. Together, they strengthen educator capacity, promote equitable literacy instruction, and ensure all TK–5 learners across Sacramento County achieve reading success.

Why It Matters

California READS is designed to support the AB 121 professional development criteria by connecting high-quality professional learning with evidence-based literacy instruction, classroom application, collaboration, and reflection.

Strong literacy instruction gives students the skills and knowledge they need to access and engage in learning across all content areas. California READS equips educators with evidence-based practices to strengthen foundational literacy skills, language development, reading comprehension, and writing.

The program emphasizes:

• Evidence-based literacy instruction
• Data-informed assessment and instruction
• Comprehensive English Language Development (ELD)
• Support for English Learners and students with reading difficulties and dyslexia
• Classroom application, collaboration, and reflection
• Equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction

What Participants Learn

California READS provides practical, evidence-based approaches to:

• Literacy assessment and data-informed instruction
• Oral language development and comprehensive English Language Development
• Phonological and phonemic awareness
• Phonics and word recognition
• Fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
• Background knowledge
• Writing
• Supporting English Learners and students with reading difficulties and dyslexia within a multi-tiered system of supports
• Applying learning through classroom-based practice and reflection

Course Modules

California READS is a 13-session professional learning series that begins with a two-part California READS Introduction grounding participants in California’s literacy context by exploring current literacy data and key California guiding documents.

The series continues with 10 content-focused modules:

1. Literacy Assessment
2. Oral Language Development and Comprehensive ELD
3. Print Concepts
4. Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
5. Early Phonics and Word Recognition
6. Multisyllabic Word Decoding
7. Fluency
8. Vocabulary
9. Background Knowledge and Comprehension
10. Foundations of Skilled Writing

The program concludes with a California READS Wrap-Up that offers participants an opportunity to reflect on their learning, assess their progress, and develop plans for continued implementation.