ILA 2017 Standards: Key Notions, Challenges, and Opportunities for Middle and High School Classroom Teachers

The cochairs of the International Literacy Association's 2017 Standards provide a hands-on guide to using the updated standards for middle and high school classroom teachers. The authors discuss four key notions: Disciplinary literacy instruction enhances content area learning, culturally responsive instruction is critical in our diverse society, the concept of literacy is expanding and changing, and professional learning provides for both personal and organizational growth. The authors share updated references, teaching scenarios, examples of practical implications for classroom teachers across the disciplines, and considerations for teacher educators. The piece concludes with the challenges and opportunities that the new standards present.