Complementing the Common Core with Holistic Biliteracy

Abstract

In this article the authors propose that biliteracy is a more challenging and rigorous form of literacy than the English-only orientation of the Common Core State Standards (NGACBP & CCSSO, 2010). Because learning to read and write in two languages differs from learning to read and write in one, we argue that biliteracy requires its own pedagogies, methodologies, and assessment systems. Data derived from the reported study support a trajectory toward bilingualism informed by a framework that capitalizes on theories of integrated and holistic biliteracy in order to re-conceptualize the ways educators can interpret biliteracy assessments of emerging bilingual learners in Spanish and English.