UnboundEd Launches Free Guide to Help California Districts Select High-Quality TK-5 Literacy Materials

The organization aims to support districts sustain grade-level, engaging, affirming and meaningful literacy instruction

NEW YORK, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UnboundEd, a nonprofit that partners with educators to improve instruction for every student, is proud to announce "Empowering Early Literacy: A Guide to TK-5 Instructional Materials for California Districts," a free resource designed to support California districts in selecting and implementing high-quality literacy curriculum. Developed by leading literacy experts from UnboundEd, CORE Learning, EdReports, and the English Learners Success Forum, the guide offers practical insights for California Districts in the process of evaluating literacy materials for all transitional kindergarten (TK) through grade five programs to ensure they meet the needs of their students.

The guide helps districts assess the effectiveness of their materials, offering a broad, research-backed framework that interconnects reading with writing and oral language. Unlike most tools on the market, it also focuses on text quality, early literacy program design, and alignment with dual-language programming, supporting evidence-based instructional practices for all.

"Recent data show that fewer than half of California's students are reading at grade-level by third grade, with even poorer outcomes for multilingual learners and those with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences," said Maya Goodall, chief strategy officer of CORE Learning. "This is a wake-up call, but we can shift this trajectory. The key is meeting students where they are, understanding their needs, and providing the right support. This guide equips districts with the tools to do just that."

Endorsed by California's top literacy experts, "Empowering Early Literacy" is part of the California Curriculum Collaborative (CalCurriculum), a partnership between EdReports and UnboundEd that aids districts in the adoption and implementation of instructional materials tailored to California's educational context. The guide was piloted by a range of California districts and charter networks, representing different geographies, student demographics, and other contextual factors. This collaborative effort has resulted in a comprehensive, research-backed framework that empowers district leaders to ensure that their investments in literacy instruction are aligned with best practices and support student success.

"California's students bring a wealth of assets and strengths to the classroom, and we're proud to offer practical guidance for districts looking to unlock their full literacy potential," said Dale Webster PhD, president of CORE Learning. "Governor Newsom's budget signals the state's commitment to improving literacy and mathematics outcomes. Now, more than ever, educators need the right tools to make informed decisions about curriculum and instruction."

Learn more about UnboundEd and EdReport's partnership to help districts adopt and implement great instructional materials in California: https://calcurriculum.org/

About UnboundEd
UnboundEd empowers educators to meet the needs of every single student through grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful — GLEAM^® — instruction. UnboundEd continues to expand its offerings and drive long-needed changes in instruction, partnering with school districts and education agencies across more than 40 states.

Media Contact
Stephanie Grau
FINN Partners
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SOURCE UnboundEd