Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking)
At its core, the Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) are intended to promote literacy by prioritizing the basics of reading and writing. They were built on the following premises:
- English language arts is not a discrete set of skills, but a rich discipline with meaningful, significant content, the knowledge of which helps all students actively and fully participate in our society.
- The standards are clear and concise so they are easily understood by all stakeholders, including parents and teachers.
- The texts students read are meaningful and thought-provoking, preparing them to be informed, civic-minded members of their community.
- Standards should not stand alone as a separate focus for instruction, but should be combined purposefully.
There are six expectations that are embedded within the standards. These are the overarching skills that students are expected to develop over the course of their ELA education:
| ELA.K12.EE.1.1 | Cite evidence to explain and justify reasoning |
| ELA.K12.EE.2.1 | Read and comprehend grade-level complex texts proficiently |
| ELA.K12.EE.3.1 | Make inferences to support comprehension |
| ELA.K12.EE.4.1 | Use appropriate collaborative techniques and active listening skills when engaging in discussions in a variety of situations |
| ELA.K12.EE.5.1 | Use the accepted rules governing a specific format to create quality work |
| ELA.K12.EE.6.1 | Use appropriate voice and tone when speaking or writing |
The mastery standards represent the skills students should master by the end of each grade. They are divided into four strands: Foundations, Reading, Communication, and Vocabulary.
| Foundations | This strand has been adapted to meet the needs of the traditional beginning reader and expanded to include remediation for secondary students who are not yet proficient readers. |
| Reading | This strand is divided into three standards: reading prose and poetry, reading informational text, and reading across genres. |
| Communication | This strand is divided into five standards: communicating through writing, communicating orally, following conventions, researching, and creating and collaborating. |
| Vocabulary | This strand consists of one standard: finding meaning. Vocabulary is a building block of knowledge and essential to a thorough understanding of a text. |
To build proficiency, students will continue to review and apply earlier grade-level benchmarks and expectations throughout their academic careers. If any skills aren’t mastered, students will be given instruction and practice opportunities to address skill gaps from previous grades.