Buyer Beware (Part 3): Believing that the Alignment Percentage Is Consistent Across All Grade Levels
Alignment percentages can vary greatly from grade level to grade level.
New Reviews: Sirius Grade 8 Science – STAAR Review/Prep
Learning List has reviewed Sirius Education Solutions’ Grade 8 Science: STAAR Review and Preparation WorkText. This supplemental, consumable print resource prepares eighth grade students for the STAAR science exam.
Buyer Beware (Part 2): Believing Materials Are “Aligned to Standards” When Publishers Say They Are
First, why is alignment so important? Teachers rely on their instructional materials for 80% of their curriculum and expect that the materials the district purchases will be aligned to 100% of the standards. Yet the actual alignment percentage of materials does not always match a publisher’s submitted alignment percentage.
Reason to Celebrate: Districts Gain More Freedom in the Instructional Materials Selection Process
In today’s EdWeek, Catherine Gewertz discusses how some states have relaxed their control over instructional materials and are providing districts with more freedom in choosing their classroom resources. The increased freedom in selecting instructional materials has been a reason to celebrate in many districts. But administrators are quick to acknowledge that the new freedom comes with some challenges…
TASBO 2015: “Don’t Make a Million Dollar Mistake”
Join Learning List at the TASBO Conference in Houston (Feb. 17-19) at the:
Don’t Make a Million $ Mistake: Join Learning List at TASBO 2015 -> Session on Thurs., Feb. 19th at 12:00 – 12:30PM, Room 352C of the George Brown Convention Center and Exhibit Hall booth # 1616.
Buyer Beware (Part 1): Sooner is Better
Purchasing instructional materials is the single largest annual purchase a school district typically makes. Districts often rush to complete their instructional materials selections process by early February or even early March. Solution: To be an informed consumer, you should wait until products are fully developed and physically review the entire complete products before making your purchasing decisions. Waiting until spring (March – May)…
New Reviews: NYSED’s EngageNY OER (Elementary School Math Series)
The New York State Education Department provides a comprehensive set of free open-educational resources (OERs) to support the transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The downloadable materials, known as EngageNY, provide lesson plans in mathematics for students in grades PK-12.
New Reviews: Teacher Created Materials’ Exploring Social Studies
Teacher Created Materials’ Exploring Social Studies: Texas Edition is a supplemental social studies resource for students in grades K-5 available in print and digital formats. Learning List has recently completed and published reviews for this social studies series.
Districts Get New Title I Flexibility: Learning List Can Help
Recently, Texas Commissioner of Education, Michael Williams advised districts: Texas school districts are no longer required to set aside 20 percent of their Title I federal dollars to provide Supplemental Educational Services (SES) for students at low-performing campuses. A district is now free to use those funds on academic intervention programs it deems most effective for its students. Learning List’s detailed alignment reports help districts easily identify supplemental products that will meet their students’ academic needs.
New Reviews: TCI Social Studies Series
Teachers’ Curriculum Institute’s (TCI) provides comprehensive and supplemental resources to support social studies instruction in grades K-6 and 8-10. Learning List has recently completed reviews of this social studies series.