Our History
High-quality, standards-aligned professional development since 1985
The California Reading and Literature Project: 40 Years of Empowering Educators
The California Reading & Literature Project (CRLP), with nine regional sites across California, is dedicated to providing high-quality, standards-aligned professional development to K-12 educators to improve literacy instruction for all students. The organization's work is grounded in its core values of literacy, equity, leadership, community, and inquiry. Founded in 1985 as the California Literature Project at UCLA, the program initially focused on secondary education before expanding to include elementary education in 1998.
The CRLP emphasizes the importance of teacher collaboration and leadership, evident in its establishment of a statewide Teacher Leader program in 1997. CRLP Teacher Leaders are active classroom teachers who are trained to facilitate professional development programs, bridging research with classroom practice. This approach aligns with the CRLP's belief that teachers learn best from one another.
Dr. John Shefelbine, a former professor at Sacramento State, played a pivotal role in shaping the CRLP's approach to professional learning. His "Literacy and Framework for Assessment and Instruction" (known as "Our Foundation" within the CRLP) became a cornerstone of the organization's content development. Shefelbine's work focused on assessment and instruction, especially for culturally and linguistically diverse students. The CRLP continues to evolve, adding new programs and initiatives, such as workshops on the CA Dyslexia Guidelines and Spanish Language Development Standards, to meet the changing needs in literacy education. These additions reflect the CRLP's ongoing commitment to its core values and its mission of empowering educators to provide high-quality literacy instruction for all students.
The John Shefelbine Leadership in Literacy Award
Honoring a Legacy of Literacy and Teacher Leadership
The John Shefelbine Leadership in Literacy Award is a prestigious honor given annually by the California Reading & Literature Project (CRLP) to an individual within the regional CRLP community who demonstrates a strong commitment to literacy education and embodies the values championed by Dr. John Shefelbine.
The award criteria reflect Shefelbine's dedication to empowering educators and his belief in the power of teacher leadership. Nominees must have a strong presence and active involvement within their regional CRLP community, demonstrate informal or formal leadership roles within their district, school site, and the CRLP, and inspire others to implement evidence-based literacy practices. Ideally, the nominee would also be someone who "walks the talk" and embodies the CRLP's core values of literacy, equity, community, inquiry, and leadership. The award serves as a testament to Shefelbine's enduring legacy within the CRLP, ensuring that his passion for literacy and dedication to equity and excellence continue to inspire future generations of educators.
San Diego Region’s Recipients
- 2024: Celeste Flores, South Bay Union School District
- 2023: Gina Gianzero, Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership
- 2021: Janice Anderson, San Diego Unified School District
- 2019: Angela Censoplano, National School District
- 2019: Betsy Hall, Albert Einstein Academy Charter Elementary School
Collaborate with CRLP
Learn more about how CRLP can partner with your school or district to bring high level professional development opportunities to your educators.