The 2017 English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) standards from Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) reflect best-practice literacy instruction. The seven strands of Foundational language skills, Comprehension skills, Response skills, Multiple genres, Author's purpose and craft, Composition, and Inquiry and research form an integrated approach to literacy instruction. The student expectations contained in these strands are vertically aligned to support students' development of knowledge and skills. The 2017 ELAR TEKS address critical components of instruction including a balanced approach to literacy, student choice of texts, independent reading volume, diverse literary texts, comprehension skills, purposeful talk, the reading and writing connection, inquiry, and research. Because these standards are research-based, implementation can support positive student outcomes. The Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts supports the implementation of the 2017 ELAR TEKS. Responses to this position statement from Texas-based educators reflecting on the 2017 ELAR TEKS are included. [Educator responses by Shona Rose and Malene Golding.]