Georgia ELA Standards Implementation Checklist

Georgia school administrators are seeking ways to make the state’s new English language arts (ELA) standards come to life in the classroom.

The state fully implemented new K–12 ELA standards in the 2025–2026 school year. The standards emphasize communication, including practices like reading, writing, listening, speaking, presenting, collaborating, and analyzing.

This checklist helps leaders ensure they’re taking the steps necessary to incorporate these standards and provide high-quality instruction. The checklist lists four key items to complete in the following areas:

• School-level understanding: reviewing changes with leaders and identifying practices to adjust

• Classroom instruction review: examining instructional materials and ensuring lessons align with standards

• Professional learning communities (PLC) planning and focus: emphasizing changes to the standards as well as instructional practices

• Teacher support and coaching: identifying those who need support and encouraging learning

This resource also summarizes the factors that leaders should consider as a “readiness check” to evaluate whether their school is prepared to successfully implement the standards. Leaders should gauge readiness in the following areas:

• Teachers’ level of knowledge

• PLC focus

• Instructional alignment with standards

• Leadership support

Download the checklist now to discover how Georgia school leaders can translate the new ELA standards into clear instructional expectations.