High School ELA B.E.S.T. Standards

K-12 ELA Expectations

Foundational Reading Intervention Standards

Vocabulary

Communication

Reading

Communicating Through Writing

Write narratives using an appropriate pace to create tension, mood, and/or tone.

Write to argue a position, supporting claims using logical reasoning and credible evidence from multiple sources, rebutting counterclaims with relevant evidence, using a logical organizational structure, elaboration, purposeful transitions, and maintaining a formal and objective tone.

Write expository texts to explain and analyze information from multiple sources, using a logical organization, purposeful transitions, and a tone and voice appropriate to the task.

Improve writing by considering feedback from adults, peers, and/or online editing tools, revising to address the needs of a specific audience.

Communicating Orally

Present information orally, with a logical organization and coherent focus, with credible evidence, creating a clear perspective.

Following Conventions

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

Researching

Conduct research to answer a question, refining the scope of the question to align with findings, and synthesizing information from multiple reliable and valid sources.

Creating and Collaborating

Create digital presentations to improve understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence.

Use online collaborative platforms to create and export publication-ready quality writing tailored to a specific audience, integrating multimedia elements.

Reading Prose and Poetry

Analyze how key elements enhance or add layers of meaning and/or style in a literary text.

Analyze and compare universal themes and their development throughout a literary text.

Analyze coming of age experiences reflected in a text and how the author represents conflicting perspectives.

Analyze how authors create multiple layers of meaning and/or ambiguity in a poem.

Reading Informational Text

Analyze the impact of multiple text structures and the use of features in text(s).

Analyze the central idea(s) of historical American speeches and essays.

Analyze an author's choices in establishing and achieving purpose(s) in historical American speeches and essays.

Compare the development of two opposing arguments on the same topic, evaluating the effectiveness and validity of the claims, and analyzing the ways in which the authors use the same information to achieve different ends.

Reading Across Genres

Analyze how figurative language creates mood in text(s).

Paraphrase content from grade-level texts.

Analyze how mythical, classical, or religious texts have been adapted.

Analyze an author's use of rhetoric in a text.

Finding Meaning

Integrate academic vocabulary appropriate to grade level in speaking and writing.

Apply knowledge of etymology and derivations to determine meanings of words and phrases in grade-level content.

Apply knowledge of context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the connotative and denotative meaning of words and phrases, appropriate to grade level.

Applying Foundational Reading Skills for Secondary

Demonstrate an understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds.

Orally produce single-syllable and multisyllabic words by accurately blending sounds.

Accurately segment single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Use an array of strategies to decode single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Accurately read multisyllabic words using a combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, and syllabication patterns.

Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in encoding words.

Use an array of strategies to accurately encode single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Read grade-level texts with accuracy, automaticity, and appropriate prosody or expression.

Cite evidence to explain and justify reasoning.

Read and comprehend grade-level complex texts proficiently.

Make inferences to support comprehension.

Use appropriate collaborative techniques and active listening skills when engaging in discussions in a variety of situations.

Use the accepted rules governing a specific format to create quality work.

Use appropriate voice and tone when speaking or writing.

Finding Meaning

Vocabulary

Reading Across Genres

Reading Informational Text

Reading Prose and Poetry

Reading

Creating and Collaborating

Researching

Following Conventions

Communicating Orally

Communicating Through Writing

Communication

Write a narrative using an appropriate pace to create tension, mood and/or tone.

Argue a position, supporting claims using logical reasoning and credible evidence from multiple sources, rebutting counterclaims with relevant evidence, using a logical organizational structure, elaboration, purposeful transitions, and maintaining a formal and objective tone.

Explain and analyze information from multiple sources, using a logical organization, purposeful transitions, and a tone and voice appropriate to the task.

Improve writing when given feedback from an adult, a peer and/or an online editing tool, revising to address the needs of a specific audience.

Present information, with a logical organization and coherent focus, with credible evidence, creating a clear perspective, using the student’s mode of communication with guidance and support.

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling appropriate to grade-level content.

Practice usage of rules to create flow in writing and/or presenting.

Conduct research to answer a question, drawing on multiple reliable and valid sources.

Summarize information from multiple reliable and valid sources.

Integrate a detail into digital presentation to improve understanding of findings, reasoning and evidence.

Use an online platform to create and share publication-ready quality writing tailored to a specific audience, integrating multimedia elements.

Explain how key elements increase understanding of literary text and/or style

Compare how universal themes and their development are used throughout a literary text.

Identify how the author represents conflicting perspectives.

Explain the coming-of-age experiences reflected in a text.

Explain how authors create multiple layers of meaning and/or ambiguity in a poem.

Describe the impact of multiple text structures.

Explain the central idea(s) of historical American speeches and essays.

Explain the authors choices in establishing and achieving purpose(s) in historical American speeches and essays.

Compare the development of two opposing arguments on the same topic evaluating the effectiveness and validity of the claims.

Compare how the authors use the same information to achieve different arguments.

Explain how figurative language creates mood in text(s).

Summarize information from grade-level texts, at the student’s ability level using the student’s mode of communication.

Describe how mythical, classical or religious texts have been adapted.

Summarize an authors use of rhetoric in a text.

Use grade-level content vocabulary in communication, using the students mode of communication.

Using etymology and derivations, identify the meaning of a word from a phrase in grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

Use context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials and/or background knowledge to identify the connotative and denotative meaning of a word and/or phrase, appropriate to grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

K-12 ELA Expectations

Foundational Reading Intervention Standards

Vocabulary

Communication

Reading

Communicating Through Writing

Write complex narratives using appropriate techniques to establish multiple perspectives.

Write literary analyses to support claims, using logical reasoning, credible evidence from sources, and elaboration, demonstrating an understanding of literary elements.

Write an analysis of complex texts using logical organization and a tone and voice appropriate to the task and audience, demonstrating an understanding of the subject.

Improve writing by considering feedback from adults, peers, and/or online editing tools, revising to improve clarity, structure, and style.

Communicating Orally

Present information orally, with a logical organization, coherent focus, and credible evidence, while employing effective rhetorical devices where appropriate.

Following Conventions

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

Researching

Conduct literary research to answer a question, refining the scope of the question to align with interpretations of texts, and synthesizing information from primary and secondary sources.

Creating and Collaborating

Create digital presentations to improve the experience of the audience.

Create and export quality writing tailored to a specific audience, integrating multimedia elements, publishing to an online or LAN site.

Reading Prose and Poetry

Evaluate how key elements enhance or add layers of meaning and/or style in a literary text.

Track and analyze universal themes in literary texts from different times and places.

Analyze the author's choices in using juxtaposition to define character perspective.

Analyze ways in which poetry reflects themes and issues of its time period.

Reading Informational Text

Evaluate the structure(s) and features in texts.

Analyze the central idea(s) of speeches and essays from the Classical Period.

Analyze an author's choices in establishing and achieving purpose(s) in speeches and essays from the Classical Period.

Compare the development of multiple arguments on the same topic, evaluating the effectiveness and validity of the claims, the authors' reasoning, and the ways in which the authors use the same information to achieve different ends.

Reading Across Genres

Analyze the author's use of figurative language and explain examples of allegory.

Paraphrase content from grade-level texts.

Compare and contrast how contemporaneous authors address related topics, comparing the authors' use of reasoning, and analyzing the texts within the context of the time period.

Evaluate an author's use of rhetoric in text.

Finding Meaning

Integrate academic vocabulary appropriate to grade level in speaking and writing.

Apply knowledge of etymology and derivations to determine meanings of words and phrases in grade-level content.

Apply knowledge of context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the connotative and denotative meaning of words and phrases, appropriate to grade level.

Applying Foundational Reading Skills for Secondary

Demonstrate an understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds.

Orally produce single-syllable and multisyllabic words by accurately blending sounds.

Accurately segment single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Use an array of strategies to decode single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Accurately read multisyllabic words using a combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, and syllabication patterns.

Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in encoding words.

Use an array of strategies to accurately encode single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Read grade-level texts with accuracy, automaticity, and appropriate prosody or expression.

Cite evidence to explain and justify reasoning.

Read and comprehend grade-level complex texts proficiently.

Make inferences to support comprehension.

Use appropriate collaborative techniques and active listening skills when engaging in discussions in a variety of situations.

Use the accepted rules governing a specific format to create quality work.

Use appropriate voice and tone when speaking or writing.

Finding Meaning

Vocabulary

Reading Across Genres

Reading Informational Text

Reading Prose and Poetry

Reading

Creating and Collaborating

Researching

Following Conventions

Communicating Orally

Communicating Through Writing

Communication

Write a complex narrative using appropriate techniques to establish multiple perspectives.

Analyze literature to support claims, using logical reasoning, credible evidence from sources, elaboration and demonstrating an understanding of literary elements.

Analyze a complex text using logical organization and a tone and voice appropriate to the task and audience, demonstrating an understanding of the subject.

Improve writing when given feedback from an adult, a peer and/or an online editing tool, revising to improve clarity, structure and style.

Present information, with a logical organization, coherent focus and credible evidence, while employing effective rhetorical devices where appropriate, using the student’s mode of communication with guidance and support.

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling appropriate to grade-level content.

Practice usage of rules to create flow in writing and/or presenting.

Organize literary research to answer a question, refining the scope of the question to align with interpretations of texts.

Summarize information from primary and secondary sources.

Integrate details into a digital presentation to improve the experience of the audience.

Create and share quality writing tailored to a specific audience, integrating multimedia elements, publishing to an online or LAN site.

Analyze how key elements increase understanding of literary text and/or style.

Compare how universal themes and their development are used throughout multiple literary texts from different times and places.

Define a character perspective in a text.

Explain the authors choices in using juxtaposition in a text.

Explain the connection between works of major poets and their historical context.

Explain the use of structure(s) and features in texts.

Explain the central idea(s) of speeches and essays from the Classical Period.

Explain the authors choices in establishing and achieving purpose(s) in speeches and essays from the Classical Period.

Compare the development of multiple arguments on the same topic, evaluating the effectiveness and validity of the claims, and the author’s reasoning.

Compare the authors reasoning and the ways in which the authors use the same information to achieve different arguments.

Identify the authors use of allegory.

Summarize the authors use of figurative language.

Summarize information from grade-level texts, at the student’s ability level using the student’s mode of communication.

Identify how contemporaneous authors address related topics within the context of the time period.

Analyze the authors reasoning within the context of the time period.

Describe an authors use of rhetoric in a text.

Use grade-level content vocabulary in communication, using the students mode of communication.

Using etymology and derivations, identify the meaning of a word from a phrase in grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

Use context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials and/or background knowledge to identify the connotative and denotative meaning of a word and/or phrase, appropriate to grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

K-12 ELA Expectations

Foundational Reading Intervention Standards

Vocabulary

Communication

Reading

Communicating Through Writing

Write complex narratives using appropriate techniques to establish multiple perspectives and convey universal themes.

Write arguments to support claims based on an in-depth analysis of topics or texts using valid reasoning and credible evidence from sources, elaboration, and demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject.

Write an in-depth analysis of complex texts using logical organization and appropriate tone and voice, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject.

Improve writing by considering feedback from adults, peers, and/or online editing tools, revising to enhance purpose, clarity, structure, and style.

Communicating Orally

Present information orally, with a logical organization, coherent focus, and credible evidence while employing effective rhetorical devices where appropriate.

Following Conventions

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

Researching

Conduct research on a topical issue to answer a question and synthesize information from a variety of sources.

Creating and Collaborating

Design and evaluate digital presentations for effectiveness.

Create, publish, and share multimedia texts through a variety of digital formats.

Reading Prose and Poetry

Evaluate how key elements enhance or add layers of meaning and/or style in a literary text and explain the functional significance of those elements in interpreting the text.

Analyze two or more themes and evaluate their development throughout a literary text.

Evaluate the development of character perspective, including conflicting perspectives.

Evaluate works of major poets in their historical context.

Reading Informational Text

Evaluate the structure(s) and features in texts, identifying how the author could make the text(s) more effective.

Evaluate how an author develops the central idea(s), identifying how the author could make the support more effective.

Evaluate an author's choices in establishing and achieving purpose(s).

Compare the development of multiple arguments in related texts, evaluating the validity of the claims, the authors' reasoning, use of the same information, and/or the authors' rhetoric.

Reading Across Genres

Evaluate an author's use of figurative language.

Paraphrase content from grade-level texts.

Analyze the influence of classic literature on contemporary world texts.

Evaluate rhetorical choices across multiple texts.

Finding Meaning

Integrate academic vocabulary appropriate to grade level in speaking and writing.

Apply knowledge of etymology, derivations, and commonly used foreign phrases to determine meanings of words and phrases in grade-level content.

Apply knowledge of context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the connotative and denotative meaning of words and phrases, appropriate to grade level.

Applying Foundational Reading Skills for Secondary

Demonstrate an understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds.

Orally produce single-syllable and multisyllabic words by accurately blending sounds.

Accurately segment single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Use an array of strategies to decode single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Accurately read multisyllabic words using a combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, and syllabication patterns.

Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in encoding words.

Use an array of strategies to accurately encode single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Read grade-level texts with accuracy, automaticity, and appropriate prosody or expression.

Cite evidence to explain and justify reasoning.

Read and comprehend grade-level complex texts proficiently.

Make inferences to support comprehension.

Use appropriate collaborative techniques and active listening skills when engaging in discussions in a variety of situations.

Use the accepted rules governing a specific format to create quality work.

Use appropriate voice and tone when speaking or writing.

Finding Meaning

Vocabulary

Reading Across Genres

Reading Informational Text

Reading Prose and Poetry

Reading

Creating and Collaborating

Researching

Following Conventions

Communicating Orally

Communicating Through Writing

Communication

Write a complex narrative using appropriate techniques to establish multiple perspectives and convey universal themes.

Argue to support claims based on an in-depth analysis of topics or texts using valid reasoning and credible evidence from sources, elaboration, and demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject.

Write an in-depth analysis of a complex text using logical organization and appropriate tone and voice, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject.

Improve writing when given feedback from an adult, a peer and/or an online editing tool, revising to enhance purpose, clarity, structure and style.

Analyze how key elements increase understanding of literary text and/or style.

Compare and contrast how the key elements impact the functional significance in interpreting the literary text.

Distinguish two or more themes throughout a literary text.

Show the development of two or more themes throughout a literary text.

Show the development of character perspective, including conflicting perspectives.

Analyze the connection between works of major poets and their historical context.

Explain how the structure(s) and features make the text(s) more effective.

Analyze how an author develops the central idea(s).

Explain how the author makes the support more effective.

Analyze an authors choices in establishing and achieving purpose(s).

Compare the development of multiple arguments in related texts, evaluating the validity of the claims.

Compare the authors’ reasoning, use of the same information, and/or the authors’ rhetoric of multiple arguments in related texts.

Analyze an authors use of figurative language.

Summarize information from grade-level texts, at the student’s ability level using the student’s mode of communication.

Compare and contrast the influence of classical literature on contemporary world texts.

Analyze rhetorical choices across multiple texts.

Use grade-level content vocabulary in communication, using the students mode of communication.

Using etymology, derivations and commonly foreign phrases, identify the meaning of a word from a phrase in grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

Use context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials and/or background knowledge to identify the connotative and denotative meaning of a word and/or phrase, appropriate to grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

Present information, with a logical organization and coherent focus, with credible evidence, creating a clear perspective, using the student’s mode of communication with guidance and support.

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling appropriate to grade-level content.

Identify parallel structures and various types of phrases and clauses in a variety of writings or presentations.

Practice usage of rules to create flow in writing and/or presenting

Conduct research to answer a question, drawing on a reliable and valid source.

Clarify the scope of a question to align with research findings.

Integrate a detail into a digital presentation with a coherent idea and a clear perspective.

Use an online platform to create and share publication-ready quality writing tailored to a specific audience.

K-12 ELA Expectations

Foundational Reading Intervention Standards

Vocabulary

Communication

Reading

Applying Foundational Reading Skills for Secondary

Demonstrate an understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds.

Orally produce single-syllable and multisyllabic words by accurately blending sounds.

Accurately segment single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Use an array of strategies to decode single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Accurately read multisyllabic words using a combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, and syllabication patterns.

Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in encoding words.

Use an array of strategies to accurately encode single-syllable and multisyllabic words.

Read grade-level texts with accuracy, automaticity, and appropriate prosody or expression.

Communicating Through Writing

Write narratives using narrative techniques, varied transitions, and a clearly established point of view.

Write to argue a position, supporting claims using logical reasoning and credible evidence from multiple sources, rebutting counterclaims with relevant evidence, using a logical organizational structure, elaboration, purposeful transitions, and a tone appropriate to the task.

Write expository texts to explain and analyze information from multiple sources, using a logical organization, varied purposeful transitions, and a tone appropriate to the task.

Improve writing by considering feedback from adults, peers, and/or online editing tools, revising for clarity and cohesiveness.

Communicating Orally

Present information orally, with a logical organization and coherent focus, with credible evidence, creating a clear perspective.

Following Conventions

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

Researching

Conduct research to answer a question, drawing on multiple reliable and valid sources, and refining the scope of the question to align with findings.

Creating and Collaborating

Create digital presentations with coherent ideas and a clear perspective.

Use online collaborative platforms to create and export publication-ready quality writing tailored to a specific audience.

Reading Prose and Poetry

Explain how key elements enhance or add layers of meaning and/or style in a literary text.

Analyze universal themes and their development throughout a literary text.

Analyze the influence of narrator perspective on a text, explaining how the author creates irony or satire.

Analyze the characters, structures, and themes of epic poetry.

Reading Informational Text

Analyze how multiple text structures and/or features convey a purpose and/or meaning in texts.

Evaluate the support an author uses to develop the central idea(s) throughout a text.

Analyze how an author establishes and achieves purpose(s) through rhetorical appeals and/or figurative language.

Compare the development of two opposing arguments on the same topic, evaluating the effectiveness and validity of the claims.

Reading Across Genres

Explain how figurative language creates mood in text(s).

Paraphrase content from grade-level texts.

Compare and contrast the ways in which authors have adapted mythical, classical, or religious literary texts.

Explain an author's use of rhetoric in a text.

Finding Meaning

Integrate academic vocabulary appropriate to grade level in speaking and writing.

Apply knowledge of etymology and derivations to determine meanings of words and phrases in grade-level content.

Apply knowledge of context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the connotative and denotative meaning of words and phrases, appropriate to grade level.

Cite evidence to explain and justify reasoning.

Read and comprehend grade-level complex texts proficiently.

Make inferences to support comprehension.

Use appropriate collaborative techniques and active listening skills when engaging in discussions in a variety of situations.

Use the accepted rules governing a specific format to create quality work.

Use appropriate voice and tone when speaking or writing.

Finding Meaning

Vocabulary

Reading Across Genres

Reading Informational Text

Reading Prose and Poetry

Reading

Creating and Collaborating

Researching

Following Conventions

Communicating Orally

Communicating Through Writing

Communication

Write a narrative using narrative techniques, varied transitions and a clearly established point of view.

Argue a position, supporting claims using logical reasoning and credible evidence from multiple sources, rebutting counterclaims with relevant evidence, using a logical organizational structure, elaboration, purposeful transitions and a tone appropriate to the task.

Write an expository text to explain and analyze information from multiple sources, using a logical organization, varied purposeful transitions and a tone appropriate to the task.

Improve writing when given feedback from an adult, a peer and/or an online editing tool, revising for clarity and cohesiveness.

Present information, with a logical organization and coherent focus, with credible evidence, creating a clear perspective, using the student’s mode of communication with guidance and support.

1 Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling appropriate to grade-level content.

Identify parallel structures and various types of phrases and clauses in a variety of writings or presentations.

Practice usage of rules to create flow in writing and/or presenting

Conduct research to answer a question, drawing on a reliable and valid source.

Clarify the scope of a question to align with research findings.

Integrate a detail into a digital presentation with a coherent idea and a clear perspective.

Use an online platform to create and share publication-ready quality writing tailored to a specific audience.

Identify how key elements increase understanding of literary text and/or style.

Explain how universal themes and their development are used throughout a literary text.

Describe the narrator perspective in a text.

Describe how the author creates irony or satire in a text.

Explain characters, structures and themes of epic poetry.

Explain the purpose and/or meaning across multiple text structures.

Explain the support an author uses to develop the central idea(s) throughout a text.

Identify rhetorical appeals and/or figurative language.

Identify how an author establishes and achieves purpose(s) through rhetorical appeals and/or figurative language.

Explain how the development of two opposing arguments on the same topic are related.

Explain the effectiveness and validity of the claims within two opposing arguments on the same topic.

Identify examples of figurative language that create mood in text(s).

Summarize information from grade-level texts, at the student’s ability level using the student’s mode of communication.

Identify the ways in which authors have adapted mythical, classical or religious texts.

Identify an authors use of rhetoric in a text.

Use grade-level content vocabulary in communication, using the students mode of communication.

Using etymology and derivations, identify the meaning of a word from a phrase in grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

Use context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials and/or background knowledge to determine the connotative and denotative meaning of a word and/or phrase, appropriate to grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

Applying Foundational Reading Skills for Secondary

Foundational Skills

Combine word parts (blend syllables, attach affixes to root words, fingerspell, etc.) to produce words in the student’s mode of communication.

Segment single-syllable and multisyllabic words using the students mode of communication.

Decode single-syllable and multisyllabic words as appropriate to the students mode of communication.

Read multisyllabic words using a combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, and syllabication patterns using to the student’s mode of communication.

Encode single-syllable and multisyllabic words using the students mode of communication.

Read grade-level text at the student’s ability level with accuracy, automaticity, and prosody or expression as appropriate for the student’s mode of communication.

Cite evidence to explain and justify reasoning.

Read and comprehend grade-level complex texts proficiently.

Make inferences to support comprehension.

Use appropriate collaborative techniques and active listening skills when engaging in discussions in a variety of situations.

Use the accepted rules governing a specific format to create quality work.

Use appropriate voice and tone when speaking or writing.