Strengthening Literacy Instruction Through AB 121 Professional Learning

California’s Student Support and Professional Development Grant supports professional learning that can strengthen literacy outcomes and educator capacity. This flyer details considerations for schools and districts as they determine how to direct the funding toward evidence-based literacy programs.

Created through Assembly Bill (AB) 121, the grant supports professional learning aligned to the California English Language Arts (ELA)/English Language Development (ELD) Framework. It presents an opportunity to build more cohesive, inclusive literacy systems that meet the needs of all students.

To assist in funding discussions, this flyer shares the following key elements of strong AB 121 literacy plans:

• Professional learning aligned to the California ELA/ELD Framework and Literacy Roadmap

• Ongoing coaching and support that translates training into classroom practice

• Shared instructional expectations and aligned materials across sites

• Intentional strategies to support multilingual learners and struggling readers

• Clear metrics to monitor implementation and student outcomes over time

The flyer also includes questions that schools and districts should ask as they evaluate literacy priorities to guide the use of funding. Those questions can include:

• Are literacy goals aligned across schools and instructional teams?

• Does professional learning build long-term educator capacity and instructional consistency?

• How will implementation be supported, monitored, and sustained over time?

• Where are the greatest gaps between current investments and long-term literacy goals?

Download the flyer now to explore critical issues to evaluate in planning for Student Support and Professional Development Grant funding.