1. Read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world.

2. Read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions of human experience.

3. Apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts.

4. Adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

5. Employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.

6. Apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions, media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.

7. Conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions and by posing problems.

8. Use a variety of technological and informational resources to gather and synthesize information to create and communicate knowledge.

9. Develop an understanding and respect for diversity and language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles.

10. For students whose first language is not English, make use of their first language to develop competency in English language-arts and develop understanding across curriculum.

11. Participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.

12. Use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and exchange of information).