General Information
1. What is Learning List?
Learning List is a subscription-based professional resource review service for educators and parents. Subscribers may access Learning List’s online library of completed reviews and may submit K-12 instructional materials and online courses for review, at no additional cost. Tools on LearningList.com make it easy to identify, compare and select the K-12 instructional materials best suited for students’ unique needs. LearningList.com is designed to facilitate a collaborative selection process that promotes greater “buy in” among all participants. The website also helps subscribers document compliance with laws, regulations and grant requirements governing the selection of instructional materials.
2. Who would benefit from subscribing to Learning List?
Learning List is a service for educators, including district and campus administrators and teachers.
3. What types of products does Learning List review?
Learning List reviews K-12 instructional materials, including textbooks, DVDs, online resources and online courses. Products featured on LearningList.com include comprehensive resources designed to address the full set of standards for a subject and grade level, as well as supplemental products that address a specific subset of standards, meet the needs of specific students (e.g., students in special education or English as a second language) and/or address specific educational purposes (e.g., Response to Intervention). Learning List reviews both publisher-produced and open-source products, materials that have been submitted for state adoption and those that have not been through a state review process. As explained in the answer to Question 6 in this document, Learning List supplements and complements state adoption processes.
The subject and grade levels of the materials that may be submitted for review are specified in Learning List’s Submission Guidance. Learning List has reviewed TEKS-aligned materials in all four core subjects, as well as materials aligned to the Common Core Mathematics and English Language Arts Standards. During 2015, Learning List will begin reviewing materials aligned to the Advanced Placement and Next Generation Science Standards.
4. What type of reviews does Learning List provide?
Learning List features three types of reviews for each submitted product:
- An alignment roadmap: an independent verification of the product’s alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) or the Common Core State Standards;
- A professional editorial review highlighting the features and functionality that make the product unique, as well as information to support successful implementation; and
- Educator ratings and reviews on specified criteria that are aligned with effective teaching practices.
5. How does Learning List determine when a product is “aligned” to a standard?
Learning List considers a product aligned to a standard only if the product addresses the content, context and cognitive demand/rigor of the standard.
6. Why does Learning List review state-adopted materials?
Learning List is designed to supplement and complement state adoption processes. State adoption processes typically provide an independent assessment of a product’s alignment to state standards. For products that have gone through a state adoption process, Learning List will feature the state’s verification of the product’s alignment. However, Learning List also provides an editorial review and educator ratings to help educators and parents further differentiate state-adopted and non-adopted products.
7. Who are Learning List’s Reviewers?
Learning List’s Director of Alignment has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, curriculum specialist and curriculum director. Our Director of Editorial Review is a former teacher and nationally recognized education researcher. Learning List’s alignment reports and editorial reviews are developed with the assistance of “subject matter experts,” who are certified educators with at least five years of teaching experience and prior experience developing alignments to standards. Learning List provides subject matter experts with ongoing training in standards-alignment. Subject matter experts review only products within the grade levels and subjects of their certification. An educator is not eligible to work with Learning List if he/she has been employed or compensated by a publisher, online content developer or online content provider within the previous two years.
8. How does Learning List acquire the products it reviews?
Learning List invites educators and publishers to submit K-12 instructional materials for review. On LearningList.com, subscribing educators may (1) upload open-source instructional material or online courses, or (2) request that a publisher submit a particular product for Learning List to review. Publishers also may submit products for review in response to Learning List’s Request for Products (RFP).
9. How often may products be submitted for review?
Learning List issues periodic RFPs calling for instructional materials and online courses in certain grades and subjects. Once an RFP has been issued, Learning List’s submission process is fluid. Publishers and educators may submit products for review in the subject/grade levels addressed in the RFP on an ongoing basis.
10. Does Learning List charge a fee for submitting products for review?
No. Learning List does not charge publishers any fees for its alignment verifications or editorial reviews. Additionally, the ability to request product reviews is part of the educator’s subscription fee.
11. Can I purchase products from LearningList.com?
No. Learning List is an informational resource for subscribers, not a vendor of products. Product information featured on LearningList.com includes links to publishers’ websites where products may be purchased.
Subscriptions
12. How does one access the reviews on LearningList.com?
Learning List is a subscription-based service. Learning List offers school- or district-wide subscriptions.
13. How much does it cost to subscribe?
District- and campus-wide subscriptions are based on enrollment. The account manager for each subscribing district or campus may authorize an unlimited number of district or campus employees to access the reviews on Learning List under the organization’s account.
14. Can more than one person access LearningList.com using the same account?
A school or district account allows an unlimited number of employees to access LearningList.com. However, the account manager for the school or district must authorize each employee’s access.
15. How can I find out whether my school or district has subscribed?
The account manager for a school or district grants school or district employees access under the organization’s subscription.
16. When does the subscription year begin?
Learning List does not have a set subscription year. The subscription year is individualized for each subscriber. Learning List does not offer a refund if a subscription is terminated during the subscription period.
17. Does Learning List provide a free trial period?
Learning List offers a brief webinar for anyone interested in learning more about our service, followed by a 7-day trial subscription. Contact us (512-234-4458) to arrange a webinar at your convenience.
18. Does Learning List share subscriber information with publishers or outside vendors?
No, but please consult Learning List’s Privacy Policy for a more complete answer to this question.