Washington State Literacy Framework K-6 (2026 Draft)

Available now in draft form, the Washington State English Language Arts (ELA) Framework provides an early look at how literacy is supported in Washington schools. 

The framework was developed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in partnership with the Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest. It reflects both research and the experiences of educators across the state.

The draft builds on input gathered through focus groups with administrators, educators, and community partners. The survey connected to this page is the next step in that process and provides an opportunity for broader public feedback. 

Framework

The framework focuses on kindergarten - 6th grade literacy systems and is designed to support schools and educators in providing high-quality, equitable literacy instruction so that all students can develop strong literacy skills for school, work, and life.

Framework highlights include:

  • Emphasizes equitable, inclusive instruction for all learners 
  • Highlights the importance of student belonging and identity 
  • Connects language, speaking and listening, reading, and writing, as part of a comprehensive literacy system 
  • Is grounded in research and evidence-based practices, aligned with structured literacy approaches 
  • Draws on the science of reading as a broad, interdisciplinary body of knowledge from fields such as education, linguistics, and cognitive science 
  • Supports collaboration among educators, families, and communities 
  • Aligns with Washington State learning standards and instructional priorities 
  • The framework is organized into sections that can be explored individually. Each section focuses on a key part of building strong, connected literacy systems. 
  • This is a working draft and will continue to be improved based on feedback. 
  • Feedback Survey coming soon! 

Explore the Framework (Draft) 

The framework is organized into sections that highlight key parts of literacy learning and instruction. You can explore each section based on your interests or role. Each section includes an overview along with guidance grounded in research and effective practices. 

Executive Summary and Bibliography

Provides a high-level overview of the framework, including its purpose, key ideas, and how it can be used to support strong, equitable literacy instruction across Washington. It is designed for readers seeking a concise understanding of the framework’s purpose and direction. It also includes the framework’s comprehensive bibliography of research and sources. 

Section 1: Framework Overview 

Introduces the overall purpose, structure, and research behind the framework, and explains how the sections work together to support high-quality literacy instruction for all students. 

Section 2: Student Belonging 

Explains how a sense of belonging supports student learning and engagement, and how inclusive, culturally responsive practices help students feel valued and confident as literacy learners. 

Section 3: Literacy for All Learners

Describes how schools can ensure all students have access to high-quality literacy instruction through inclusive practices, targeted supports, and systems like MTSS and Universal Design for Learning. 

Section 4: Families, Caregivers, and Communities 

Highlights the important role families, caregivers, and community partners play in supporting literacy development and creating meaningful connections beyond the classroom. 

Section 5: Oral Language 

Focuses on how speaking and listening skills form the foundation of literacy and support students’ ability to understand, communicate, and learn. 

Section 6: Writing 

Explains how writing develops over time and supports students in expressing ideas, building knowledge, and engaging in meaningful communication. 

Section 7: Reading 

Describes how students develop reading skills through evidence-based instruction, including foundational skills and comprehension, to become confident, capable readers. 

Section 8: Research, Media Literacy, and Digital Citizenship 

Explains how students learn to think critically about information, use digital tools responsibly, and engage with a variety of media. 

Section 9: Standards, Planning, and Content Integration 

Describes how literacy instruction is guided by standards and integrated across subjects to support deeper learning and connection to content. 

Section 10: Assessment 

Outlines how assessment is used to support student learning, guide instruction, and monitor progress within a comprehensive literacy system.