State policies to encourage elementary teachers to teach for understanding and thinking are more comprehensive in California than in any other state. Based on in-depth interviews with eight curriculum and policy experts and an analysis of over 100 documents, this report describes efforts being advanced across six policy fronts: (1) curriculum frameworks; (2) handbooks for local program planning; (3) model curriculum guides; (4) statewide tests; (5) instructional materials adoption; and (6) inservice programs. Following an overview of California's policy design, the report provides a more detailed analysis of each of the six policy initiatives. The report next presents a qualitative assessment of the consistency, prescriptiveness, and authority of California's curriculum policies, and concludes that the policies generally satisfy each of the criteria. However, their impact on classroom practice will ultimately be determined by the state's level of success in pressing publishers to develop instructional materials aligned with current curriculum frameworks. The report lists the documents included in the content analysis. (LMI)