Learning List Blog

High-quality instructional materials can significantly influence student achievement, but only when educators monitor how those materials impact student learning. One of the most effective ways to evaluate instructional material effectiveness is through the analysis of student work samples and performance data. By examining what students produce and how their learning develops over time, educators can determine whether curriculum resources are aligned, rigorous, and producing

Aligning professional learning with the core curriculum is essential for improving instructional coherence, strengthening implementation, and increasing student outcomes. When professional development is directly connected to what teachers teach, it becomes more effective, actionable, and sustainable. Below are five research-based strategies district and campus leaders can use to align professional learning with curriculum and classroom practice.

Teacher guides (or teacher editions) are designed to do more than outline lessons. They provide essential pedagogical and content support. High-quality teacher guides embed scaffolding and differentiation strategies to help all students access rigorous, grade-level content. When used effectively, they enable teachers to respond to student needs without lowering expectations. Below are five practical strategies to help educators maximize teacher guides to support diverse lear

School leaders often ask how to determine whether instructional materials are actually improving teaching and learning. Monitoring the impact of instructional materials helps leaders ensure that curriculum is providing students with consistent access to grade-level work and strengthening classroom instruction. The quality of instructional materials is important, but instructional materials alone do not improve student outcomes. Research suggests that high-quality materials c

In K–12 classrooms, learning is most powerful when students see how ideas connect across subjects. High-quality instructional materials (HQIM), standards-aligned, research-based curricula, provide a strong foundation for this kind of integrated learning. When used strategically, HQIM can help teachers move beyond isolated lessons toward coherent, interdisciplinary learning experiences. Below are five keys to building cross-content connections while maintaining fidelity to

Students’ access to grade-level instruction is shaped less by which instructional materials a school adopts and more by how those materials are used in classrooms. When expectations for instruction vary, students can experience very different levels of rigor—even within the same school using the same curriculum. School leaders play a critical role in guiding the use of instructional materials to ensure all students regularly engage with grade-level instruction.

Grouping students into small groups is not just an effective strategy for Tier 2 and Tier 3 instruction. It is a powerful strategy for meeting the diverse learning needs within a single classroom during Tier 1 instruction, too. Yet planning effective small-group lessons, especially when balancing core and supplemental materials, can feel overwhelming. Many educators wonder: Which students should I group together? How do I connect small-group work to the core lesson? Which sup

Campus administrators and instructional coaches consistently consider how to make Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) meaningful. The most effective PLCs focus on student learning and use instructional resources as a foundation for analysis and planning. The five keys below provide a framework for structuring PLCs that are impactful, data-driven, and grounded in professional learning. Each key is supported by research and includes an embedded quote to help you integra

In today’s classrooms, supplemental instructional materials, such as worksheets, videos, lesson plans, games, and online activities, are everywhere. A recent study by the RAND Corporation found that nearly all teachers (97%) reported using at least one supplemental resource weekly, with many drawing on several at once. Teacher-created supplemental resources are especially common. In the RAND study, nearly half of teachers reported using self-developed supplemental mat

Every classroom is full of diverse learners and even the best high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) require thoughtful adaptation to meet every student where they are. The goal is not to rewrite the curriculum. It is to use HQIM strategically so all students can access grade-level content through differentiated instruction and well-planned scaffolds. Below are six research-based strategies to help educators adapt materials effectively without losing rigor or alignment

Adopting high-quality instructional materials is a significant step toward ensuring equitable, grade-level learning for every student. But the real challenge comes next. Too much structure can feel restrictive; too much flexibility can lead to inconsistency. The goal is not to choose one or the other, it is to find balance.Effective leaders get tight on the “what”

As teachers, we know that high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) can provide powerful instructional support. They can save planning time, keep lessons aligned to standards, and provide a clear path to help students grow. But with so many curriculum resources available, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

As administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers work to enhance teaching and learning, one of the most critical levers is ensuring that high‑quality instructional materials are implemented with fidelity in ways that meet the learning needs of students. Here are six evidence‑based strategies to guide your coaching practice and leadership. 1. Engage in Side‑by‑Side Coaching with In‑the‑Moment Feedback Effective, collaborative coaching cycles are more impactful than one-t

The start of a new school year is full of excitement, new routines, and possibilities. One of the most important steps teachers can take to set the tone for success is ensuring their daily instruction is aligned with both standards and curriculum resources. Alignment creates a roadmap for teaching and learning, providing clarity for teachers and students alike. Below are five practical strategies to help you begin the year with confidence and ensure every lesson builds towar

As we discussed in our prior blog, a critical step in building a culture of alignment is selecting standards-aligned, high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) to support teaching and learning. When districts and campuses commit to HQIM, classrooms transform. As David Steiner explains, “the research is increasingly clear that quality curriculum matters to student achievement… [with] a larger cumulative impact on student achievement than many common school improvement inter

Selecting materials to remediate students' learning gaps can be a daunting task. If you have access to multiple materials, and you are feeling overwhelmed by the choices, here are five tips to help you identify which of your current materials to use and how to use them effectively to address your students' learning gaps.

On May 22, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a proposed settlement order in a first-of-its-kind case against an education technology (ed tech) company for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule. The settlement order contains valuable guidance for ed tech companies and school districts that work with them. Congress enacted COPPA in 1998 with the goal of protecting the safety and privacy of children online by prohibiting the unauthor

A recent EdWeek article titled, Why Printed Books Are Better Than Screens for Learning to Read addresses the debate over print vs digital materials for young learners in an interview with Maryann Wolf, the director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. Wolf begins by saying that the answer is not binary. "There are advantages and disadvantages for each type of medium, depending on the pu

While states and districts have engaged in numerous strategies to address Covid-related learning losses, the strategy getting the most attention and investment is high-dose tutoring. According to a February 2023 report published by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), states have spent $700 million of ESSER reserve funds to expand tutoring opportunities, including $470 million on large-scale, high-dose tutoring programs. This blog endeavors to provide tips, bas

This two-part blog series contains stepped-out guidance and important tips to help you map your resources to the district's curriculum. The first blog provides tips to help you prepare for an efficient process. We discuss: developing a common definition of alignment, becoming familiar with your materials, and selecting citations (lessons, activities quizzes) in your materials to map to the district curriculum. The second blog discusses: how to cite the aligned content in yo