The Williamsville K-12 English Language Arts Program is aligned with the New York State Common Core Learning Standards. The standards represent an integrated literacy model organized into four overlapping strands: Reading, Writing, Language and Speaking/Listening.  The standards specify the skills and strategies that students should know, understand, and be able to do with proficiency by the end of the year in which they first appear.

In accordance with the English Language Arts Common Core Learning Standards, our program is based on the following beliefs:

• English language arts learners must be exposed to regular and varied opportunities to read.
• Students should read, write, listen, and speak on a daily basis.
• Teachers in all content areas share responsibility for the development of reading, writing, listening, and speaking competencies.
• Language arts development is recursive across the continuum, from kindergarten through grade 12.
• All students are able to achieve competency in the presence of skilled instruction, adequate time for learning, varied and/or specialized resources, and additional support as needed.
• Access to technology enhances the development of critical literacy competencies.
• Skills are developed, revisited, and reinforced with increasing complexity in accordance with grade-level expectations.
• Students should be active learners, responsible for, and knowledgeable about their own learning.