Curriculum and Instruction

Elevating Literacy Instruction in California

About Project ARISE

SDCOE has joined Contra Costa County and Glenn County offices of education in a statewide effort that focuses on supporting English Learner/Multilingual students and students with dyslexia, by providing professional learning for K-12 educators.

Project ARISE will support participants using a three-tiered model:

Baseline (Level 1) 
Five free courses available to CA educators:

• Executive Function (Center for Whole-Child Education)
• Literacy as Equity (TNTP)
• Foundational Reading Skills (TNTP)
• Reading Comprehension (TNTP)
• Intensive Intervention (National Center for Intensive Intervention)

Strategic (Level 2)
Participation in Implementation Network - a group of CA educational leaders instrumental in translating research to classroom practice across districts and schools.  

Intensive (Level 3) - CLOSED 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR
Free, targeted instructional coaching from San Diego County Office of Education tailored to a district or schools individual needs (lesson studies, coaching, staff PD).
 

Learn More

• What is Project ARISE?
• News story

If you are interested in learning how your district or school can receive support, please contact Melanie Stone.

Learn more about the courses or apply now.

Meet the Team

The California Department of Education was awarded $37.5 million in Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant funds to leverage and expand statewide literacy supports to improve student outcomes in reading.

The Curriculum and Instruction Leaders Network is a regular meeting of district leaders who lead curriculum and instruction in their region. It's an opportunity to collaborate with peers across the county, share best practices, and stay up-to-date on the latest state guidance.

Network Meeting Schedule

The network is held 1 to 3 p.m. virtually and in-person in 2024 on Feb. 6, March 12, April 30, and a special celebration on May 28. 

Register for the 2023-24 C and I Leaders Network series 

Download a shareable image with network dates and information. 

Newsletter

Subscribe to the Curriculum and Instruction Newsletter to receive information and links to meeting resources.

Past Meeting Resources and Information

• November 2023 PowerPoint Presentation

In the last decade, there have been numerous shifts in expectations of what students are learning and how they are being taught across every content area. As a result of these changes, the Curriculum and Instruction department at the San Diego County Office of Education dove into the new expectations and looked for similarities and differences between how students are expected to learn in the various content areas. As a result, the team noticed that there are four components of student learning that are shared across content areas: 

• Students understand what they are learning and why they are learning it
• Students engage in learning tasks/events to build, extend and apply understanding
• Students use language and literacy to communicate in disciplinary ways
• Students self-assess and reflect on their learning and understanding

These components reflect the shifts in instruction that are being called for with the new California State Standards and Frameworks in English language arts, health and physical education, history-social science, visual and performing arts, science, and mathematics. The various instructional frameworks used to guide teaching and learning in schools and districts fall short of describing the specific nuances of what learning should look and sound like for students. These content-specific features, listed in each of the four components, are an additive view to any instructional framework, including the 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning™, designed to give teachers and leaders the language necessary to describe and observe for high-quality instruction. They also are derived utilizing the tenets of the six Cs (critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, citizenship, and character) and consider the features of deep learning, as stated by Michael Fullan.

SDCOE designed units of study in grades K-12 that are focused on grade-level essential learnings in each content area. These units were purposefully designed to integrate content, provide flexibility, and choice. The units of study are open resources that can be downloaded and customized. Search content by grade level. 

SDCOE also partnered with The San Diego Union-Tribune to create Learning at Home Bingo with free or low-cost learning activities for students of all ages to explore and be curious. Access all the Learning at Home Bingo cards to learn with your students.