English Language Arts

Arizona Department of Education English Language Arts Standards by Grade

Kindergarten Standards

1st Grade Standards

2nd Grade Standards

3rd Grade Standards

4th Grade Standards

5th Grade Standards

6th Grade Standards

7th Grade Standards

8th Grade Standards

9th-10th Grade Standards

11th-12th Grade Standards

DVUSD Assessment Philosophy

Assessment is the systematic collection of data about student learning based on standards and the use of that data to create a continuous cycle of improved teaching and learning. The DVUSD learning community believes that assessment is for student learning, is student-centered and involves a commitment by all stakeholders. 

DVUSD Assessment Intent

District assessments are a part of an effective assessment system intended to determine both a current student performance level and measure of the guaranteed and viable, standards-based curriculum implemented across the district. In order to inform instruction, measure student learning, and close achievement gaps, DVUSD endorses the use of  diverse classroom assessment data, such as formative, summative, performance-based, portfolio, and student observation. Results are used in conjunction with district, state, and national assessment data to form a picture of student learning. DVUSD celebrates data indicators that provide opportunity for growth in the goal of providing an extraordinary educational experience for all students. 

Arizona State Achievement Test (Grades 3-12)

All Arizona public schools, including districts schools and charter schools, are required to properly administer state and federally mandated assessments.
 
Learn more about Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment in DVUSD.
 
Learn more about the Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment from the Arizona Department of Education.

DIBELS 8th Edition (Grades K-3)

In the Deer Valley Unified School District, all Kindergarten through third grade students are assessed using the DIBELS 8th Edition screener in August, December and May.
 
The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) 8th Edition are a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of early literacy skills from kindergarten through eighth grade. They are designed to be short (one minute) fluency measures used to regularly monitor the development of early literacy and early reading skills.
 
DIBELS 8th Edition are comprised of six measures to function as indicators of phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, accuracy and fluency with connected text, and reading comprehension. DIBELS 8th Edition was designed for use in identifying children experiencing difficulty in acquisition of basic early literacy skills in order to provide support early and prevent the occurrence of later reading difficulties. Learn more about DIBELS.

Adopted Resources are materials for teachers and students that support learning of the English Language Arts standards in a particular grade level or course of study.  All Deer Valley USD adopted resources are research-based and have been selected through a multi-stage process that involves teachers, parents, community members, and administrators.  Adoption committee members examine materials submitted to determine their alignment to English Language Arts standards/concepts, learning experiences, depth of learning, and accessibility for diverse student needs before submitting selections to the Governing Board for approval

K-5 students will engage in the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Reading program for Tier 1 core curriculum.

HMH Into Reading (K-5)

In Deer Valley, fostering proficient readers is a top priority. We are committed to the Science of Reading, a research-based approach that emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—key components in effective reading instruction and the way the brain processes written language.

To support this commitment, Deer Valley has adopted Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Into Reading, a comprehensive literacy program grounded in the Science of Reading. This structured curriculum is designed to help K-5 students develop strong reading and writing skills through evidence-based best practices.

All K-5 students engage in:

• Foundational skills with explicit instruction in phonics and phonemic awareness to support both reading and spelling
• Vocabulary and grammar instruction to enhance language development
• Comprehension instruction using diverse and complex texts, incorporating both fiction and nonfiction genres
• Writing instruction across opinion, informative, and narrative genres
• Explicit handwriting instruction, including print manuscript (K-2) and cursive handwriting (3-5)

This comprehensive literacy approach ensures that students build essential skills for lifelong reading and writing success.

Read 180 (4-12)

Read 180 is a core program or intervention program used for some students who are performing below grade-level standards. Learn more about Read 180. 

Novel List

Teachers may choose to include a supplemental book for students to read in order to add depth and interest to the instruction of the AZ state Standards. Teachers may submit new titles to be added throughout the year. Parents can reach out to their child's teacher to find out which books the teacher will be using. Access the list here.

English Language Arts 6-8 adopted McGraw Hill StudySync. StudySync resources align to the district curriculum by helping students develop their abilities to analyze complex texts, identify and effectively use textual evidence, reason critically, and communicate thoughtfully and purposefully - the must-have skills for college and career readiness.

English Language Arts 9-12 adopted MyPerspectives by Savvas, a resource which aligns to the district curriculum by helping students develop their abilities to analyze complex texts, identify and effectively use textual evidence, reason critically, and communicate thoughtfully and purposefully - the must-have skills for college and career readiness.

English Language Arts 6-12 adopted No Red Ink Premium, a resource which aligns to the district writing curriculum by helping students develop their abilities to analyze complex texts, identify and effectively use textual evidence, reason critically, and communicate thoughtfully and purposefully in their writing, which is a must-have skill for college and career readiness.

Teachers may choose to include a supplemental book for students to read in order to add depth and interest to the instruction of the AZ state Standards. The books on the following list have been approved for teachers' use in the classroom. Parents can reach out to their child's teacher to find out which of the books on the list the teacher will be using: DVUSD Novel List

This online program builds stronger writers through interest-based curriculum, adaptive exercises, and actionable data.  Along with the grammar lessons and practice many teachers already use in our district, this program has expanded their writing tools, lessons and exercises, including narrative, informative, argumentative, as well as literary analysis, rhetorical analysis and SAT/ACT writing types. Access the list here.

CommonLit is a teacher-founded nonprofit that provides schools with high-quality instructional resources as assessments for grades 3-12.

CommonLit 360 offers reading, writing, vocabulary grammar, discussion, and related media lessons for students.

Program Opportunities

Aspire-- Deer Valley's Online Learning Program

Students have the opportunity to earn high school credit for courses taken online through Aspire at the Innovation Center. Most district English Language Arts classes are available in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters for general, credit recovery, and Honors coursework. Visit the Aspire website for more information, or contact your high school counseling department. 

Advanced Placement Program

The Advanced Placement Program offers DVUSD students college-level courses. In Advanced Placement (AP) courses, students can earn college credit, placement, or both by qualifying AP exam scores. The AP exams are taken in late spring of each year. For more information, please contact your high school counseling department.

• AP Language and Composition
• AP Literature and Composition

College Dual Enrollment 

Dual enrollment courses are offered for specified English Language Arts courses.  These courses are offered at the high school and taught by high school teachers with community college certification. Students who successfully complete these courses will earn both high school credit and college credit.  There will be a community college tuition fee for these courses.  These courses may be identified by a different course code listed below by availability at each of our high school campuses.  Juniors and seniors may enroll in dual enrollment courses (underclassman need administrative approval).  For more information please contact your high school counseling department.

Barry Goldwater High School

• Introduction to Literature (ENH 110/111)
• English Composition (ENG 101/102)

Boulder Creek High School  

• English Composition/Introduction to Literature(ENG 101/110)
• English Composition (ENG 102/111)

Deer Valley High School

• English Composition/Introduction to Literature (ENG 101/110)
• English Composition/Technical Writing (ENG 102/111)

Mountain Ridge High School

• Introduction to Literature (ENH 110/111)
• English Composition (ENG 101/102)

Sandra Day O'Connor High School

• Introduction to Literature (ENH 110)
• English Composition (ENG 101/102)

Honors Program

Honors courses provide an in-depth study and are designed to prepare students for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Dual Enrollment courses.  Teacher recommendation, grades, and test scores are considered for eligibility in the course. Honors courses are available for the following.  For more information please contact your high school counseling department.

• English 1-2 H
• English 3-4 H

For more information about DVUSD Pathways, visit the DVUSD Pathways Website or call (623) 445-5780.

In accordance with Arizona legislation A.R.S §15-211, all K-6/K-8 schools meet the following requirements to support literacy development and ensure early identification and intervention for students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia:

• Each school has at least one Dyslexia Training Designee, a teacher who has completed training through state-approved programs such as Keys to Literacy or Lexia LETRS.
• All K-5 teachers are actively working toward or have already completed the required training for the Arizona K-5 Literacy Endorsement (A.R.S §15-501), which includes specialized instruction on supporting dyslexic learners in the classroom. This endorsement must be obtained by Summer 2028.
• Reading Specialists on every campus implement state-approved intervention programs designed to support students struggling with reading, including those displaying indicators of dyslexia.
• All K-3 students undergo screening using DIBELS 8th Edition, which includes subtests designed to identify risk factors for dyslexia.

These measures ensure that educators are well-equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to provide high-quality literacy instruction and targeted support for all learners, including those who display indicators of dyslexia.

Teachers may choose to include a supplemental book for students to read in order to add depth and interest to the instruction of the AZ state Standards. The books on the following list have been approved for teachers' use in the classroom. Parents can reach out to their child's teacher to find out which of the books on the list the teacher will be using: DVUSD Novel List