Many Spanish Language Arts (SLA) programs are translated or adapted from materials originally designed for English Language Arts. Even when accurate, these materials may not fully refl ect how Spanish language and literacy develop or build on students’ linguistic, cultural, and bilingual assets. High-quality, authentic Spanish texts are non-negotiable because they provide strong language models, refl ect diverse cultures and varieties of Spanish, and support meaningful literacy and language development.

The English Learners Success Forum (ELSF) Spanish Language Arts Benchmarks of Quality (BoQs) provide districts and state education agencies with a research-grounded framework for identifying high-quality SLA materials and recognizing critical gaps in existing offerings. Grounded in the BoQs, this two-page resource highlights common gaps and helps leaders determine whether they are best addressed through targeted improvement, capacity building, or deeper curriculum design.

Use the following If-Then guidance to identify common weaknesses in SLA materials and consider appropriate next steps.