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OpenStax powered by Kiddom provides comprehensive science programs for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The materials are available in digital format through the Kiddom platform or in print. The Biology material intends to support “biology courses for science majors” through an evolutionary lens while highlighting careers in biology. Chemistry intends to support students in learning the core concepts of chemistry and how those concepts apply to the world. Physics focuses on physical concepts, quantitative examples and skills, and interesting applications. OpenStax Biology, Chemistry, and Physics organize student learning in units (Biology and Physics) or chapters (Chemistry) that focus on science topics that are common to the discipline. Each Biology unit includes multiple chapters. In the Chemistry and Physics materials, each chapter includes multiple sections. Across the three disciplines, chapters or sections include an introductory image that represents a scientific phenomenon. However, phenomena are not consistently embedded throughout each chapter and are not the focus of the content. Chapters or sections are formatted consistently. In a typical Biology chapter, students read, answer a variety of questions, and take an assessment.  In Chemistry , students read and solve problems based on the specific chemistry topic. In Physics , read information about the content, watch a variety of simulations or videos about the topic, participate in a lab, and answer questions about the content of the section. Learning List’s reviewers noticed that across the disciplines, opportunities for students to design experiments and solutions to problems, and to ask questions, are limited. All of the materials are text-dense and require students to be able to read effectively and extensively. In Biology , quality images and graphics support students in understanding the content. Physics includes a variety of resources that help students understand and find relevance in the content. Across the three disciplines, the materials include links to resources on outside sites, including multiple YouTube videos. The external links potentially provide access to all videos on YouTube and all comments on the videos. As suggested above, the materials vary in significant ways across the three high school science disciplines. Read Learning List’s Editorial Reviews and Spec Sheets to identify important differences.   About Learning List Learning List’s reviews are available through a low-cost subscription. Contact info@LearningList.com to learn about subscribing to our instructional materials review service, which provides immediate access to our independent, evidence-based reviews of more than 3,300 PreK-12 instructional materials. Subscribing districts can also submit additional materials for review at no additional charge. About Kiddom* Kiddom builds technology enabling teachers and learners to unlock their full potential. Teachers are often constrained by limited access to quality tools or mandated use of ineffective tools that do not meet their students’ needs. Kiddom believes technology should be utilized to close the achievement gap and level the playing field for all students. *Content in this section is adapted from Kiddom

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.  (1) Use available  assessment data  to identify your students' learning gaps. (2) Identify the state  standards  associated with those learning gaps. (3) Identify the materials you have available. Then, use the  publisher's correlations  for each material to identify which material addresses  those specific standards. (4) Select one or more of those materials and check citations (i.e., lessons, activities, quizzes) listed in the publisher's correlation for alignment to the content, context, and cognitive rigor of each of those standards. If you originally used a particular resource to teach those standards, you may use the same resource to address learning gaps, provided you choose different citations from that resource when re-teaching the standards. (5) Use the aligned citations in the material(s) you have selected to reteach the content and/or skills your students did not learn the first time. The citations you select must be aligned to the standards your students are struggling with to ensure that the material will help close students' learning gaps. If your district subscribes to Learning List , our alignment comparison tool makes it easy to compare the alignment of your current materials and identify which material(s) is/are aligned to the standards your students are struggling with. Our alignment reports are downloadable to help teachers import aligned citations into curriculum documents, lesson plans, or IEPs. About Learning List Learning List offers curriculum support services for schools and districts. Through our affordable subscription-based instructional materials review service, educators gain access to comprehensive evaluations of alignment, quality, and technology compatibility for thousands of widely used K–12 instructional resources. To learn more about our services, contact info@LearningList.com

TechApps for Texas is a comprehensive digital curriculum for technology applications by Learning.com. The program intends to help students become future-ready by providing lessons based on real-life applications of technology skills. Learning List has reviewed grades K-8 of the version of the material submitted for state review under Proclamation 2024 in Texas. Although some content in the Texas version specifically addresses the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the structure and features of this version are consistent with the national version of the material. Therefore, while the alignment report is Texas-specific, the information contained in our editorial review and spec sheets could be useful to any school district selecting materials for tech apps. Learning.com  organizes learning based on key concepts in technology applications, including Digital Citizenship, Digital Literacy, and Keyboarding. Within each concept, the material provides multiple lessons categorized by type (i.e., instruction, practice, discussion, project). Within each grade span (K-2, 3-5, 6-8), multiple lessons are provided in a game-based, digital environment. Lessons can be integrated within core content and range in the amount of time required from 15 to 45 minutes. Lessons are developed consistently, and the scope and sequence of the lessons provides a logical progression of skill development across grade levels. The material includes comprehensive instruction about digital citizenship and cybersecurity. Lessons are age-appropriate and teach students skills and applications for technology that are transferable across subject areas. Read Learning List's editorial review to learn more about how the material addresses the needs of special student populations and assesses student progress. About Learning List Learning List's reviews are available through a low-cost subscription. Contact info@LearningList.com to learn about subscribing to our instructional materials review service which provides immediate access to our independent, evidence-based reviews of more than 3,300 PreK-12 instructional materials. Subscribing districts can also submit materials for review at no additional charge. About Learning.com * Learning.com empowers every student with digital literacy, problem-solving, and programming skills through a comprehensive, customizable, easy-to-implement solution. Easy-to-follow lessons engage students in critical digital skills, including digital literacy, computer coding, keyboarding, online safety, virtual robotics, and more. *Content in this section is adapted from Learning.com .

National Geographic/Cengage’s Biology and World of Chemistry are comprehensive curricula for high school science courses. Learning List reviewed the version of each material submitted for state review under Proclamation 2024 in Texas. Biology focuses on enabling students to build fundamental knowledge of biology through phenomena-based lessons, while World of Chemistry focuses on enabling students to understand chemistry for themselves. In both materials, phenomena, scientific and engineering practices, and recurring themes are integrated throughout each chapter and lesson. Scientific investigations, simulations, case studies, and videos are provided in all chapters. Lessons include numerous open-ended questions and opportunities for students to act like scientists. Both materials provide ongoing, consistent support for special populations, including Emerging Bilinguals, at point-of-use. Content is provided in English. World of Chemistry includes a separate Spanish glossary. Biology includes an ELL workbook, which provides supplemental activities to support student learning in each chapter. The materials are available in print and digital format. Digital components are accessible to students and teachers from National Geographic Learning/Cengage’s interactive digital platform, MindTap, which includes multiple ancillary resources and monitoring tools. The material on the platform is provided at two reading levels. The on-level version of the text matches the printed textbook. Students can also access a modified version of the text written at a middle-school level. Read Learning List's Spec Sheet and Editorial Review to learn more about the rigor and complexity of the content, the assessments, and the teacher resources available in each of these materials. About Learning List Learning List's reviews are available through a low-cost subscription. Contact info@LearningList.com to learn about subscribing to our instructional materials review service which provides immediate access to our independent, evidence-based reviews of more than 3,300 PreK-12 instructional materials. Subscribing districts can also submit materials for review at no additional charge. About National Geographic/Cengage * National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Learning, is a leading educational publisher of PreK–12 School and English Language Teaching. At National Geographic Learning, we believe that an engaged and motivated learner will be a successful one, and we design our materials with a highly interactive storytelling approach which is a great way to invoke these connections. *Content in this section is adapted from National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning

National Geographic/Cegage's Forensic Science Fundamentals and Investigations ( National Geographic Forensic Science ) is a comprehensive science curriculum for high school Forensic Science courses. The program introduces students to science and investigations behind the world of careers in forensic science. The materials are available in print and digital format. Digital components are accessible to students and teachers from National Geographic Learning/Cengage’s interactive MindTap platform. Learning List has reviewed the version of the material submitted for state adoption in Texas under Proclamation 2024. While the Texas version contains some content specifically tailored to meet the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards, the material's organization, features, and functionality are consistent with the national version, which according to the publisher's website provides content "aligned to the NGSS Next Generation Science Standards." Thus, the information contained in our editorial review (i.e., instructional quality review) will be helpful to districts in most states.   National Geographic Forensic Science organizes learning in chapters based on major concepts of forensic science. Two introductory chapters titled (1) Forensic Science and Observation, and (2) Crime-Scene Investigations and Evidence provide background information and an explanation of what forensic scientists do, including how they use observation to draw conclusions. All subsequent chapters begin with a real-world scenario to demonstrate key concepts. Chapters are divided into four sections. Students begin each chapter by reading the material and studying a variety of figures and images. They read case studies, answer discussion questions, and learn about careers in forensic science. The ebook references practice activities and labs to help students review the chapter content, though Learning List's reviewers noted that these were not evident on the MindTap platform at the time of our review (September 2023). Chapters end with a multiple-choice quiz. The teacher edition mirrors the student edition, but all student resources are provided on the MindTap platform and teacher resources are linked on a companion site, nglsync. The material is provided in English only without translation. Learn more about the material's resources for students, assessments, and monitoring tools by reading Learning List's editorial reviews. About Learning List Learning List’s reviews are available through a low-cost subscription. Contact  info@LearningList.com  to learn about subscribing to our instructional materials review service which provides immediate access to our independent, evidence-based reviews of more than 3,300 PreK-12 instructional materials. Subscribing districts can also submit additional materials for review at no additional charge.  About National Geographic/Cengage * National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Learning, is a leading educational publisher of PreK–12 School and English Language Teaching. At National Geographic Learning, we believe that an engaged and motivated learner will be a successful one, and we design our materials with a highly interactive storytelling approach which is a great way to invoke these connections. *Content in this section is adapted from National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning

McGraw Hill’s Texas Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (Hole’s Anatomy and Physiology) is a comprehensive science curriculum for high school Anatomy and Physiology. This review is based on the version of the material submitted for state adoption under Texas Proclamation 2024. While some content may specifically address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the format and features of the Texas version is likely the same as the national version. Therefore, the information in our reviews is relevant to districts in other states, too. The materials are available in print and digital format and are accessible to students and teachers from McGraw-Hill’s interactive digital platform. The program uses real-world applications to help students master the core themes of anatomy and physiology. Hole’s Anatomy and Physiology opens with a preview chapter, which introduces scientific methods and processes, data analysis, and science and engineering practices. This chapter also provides students with suggestions and strategies for studying and learning the material. The material organizes instruction into units and chapters focused on various components of human anatomy and physiology. Each chapter begins with an introduction that includes an image, background information, a theme, and a real-world case study. Connections to the case study are made throughout the chapter and provide students with an opportunity to understand the topic in greater depth. Lessons provide a variety of activities, including hands-on labs and virtual labs. Case studies, data analysis, and multiple applications of the concepts throughout the material support students’ abilities to make real-world connections, find relevance in the material, and think critically. Chapters conclude with a summative assessment. All of the resources for teachers and students, including the teacher and student editions, are housed on McGraw-Hill’s interactive digital platform. Digital resources for students include an interactive cadaver dissection tool, animations, and flashcards. The platform provides a variety of monitoring resources for teachers, an item bank, and tools to enable teachers to create and edit assessments. The material is available in English. Lessons include supports for Emerging Bilingual students that are specific to the student’s language proficiency level. Supports for other special populations are limited. Read more about the rigor of the material and supports for differentiating instruction in List’s editorial review. About Learning List Learning List provides a range of curriculum support services, including a low-cost, subscription instructional materials review service for schools and districts. Subscribers get access to reviews of more than 3,300 K-12 instructional materials and can submit additional materials for review at no additional charge. Contact Info@LearningList.com for information about our low-cost subscriptions.   About McGraw Hill  * McGraw Hill’s  mission is “to unlock potential and accelerate learning for every student.”  McGraw Hill  values innovation, membership, passion, adaptability, credibility, and transparency. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from McGraw Hill.

Is your district adopting new high school science materials? Savvas' Experience Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are comprehensive curricula for high school courses. Each focuses on providing immersive experiences to support students in doing science through inquiry, phenomena, labs, and real-world applications. Experience Chemistry provides immersive experiences to support students in doing science through inquiry, phenomena, labs, and real-world applications. The materials are available in print and digital format. The program design is based on the 5E model. Instruction is organized in "Investigations" (units) based on anchoring phenomena to demonstrate how scientific concepts exist in the real world. "Experiences" include virtual and hands-on labs, as well as demonstrations. In Chemistry and Physics , "Experiences" also provide math instruction and practice to guide students through the mathematics required to be successful in those subjects. The material seamlessly integrates phenomena, scientific and engineering practices, and recurring themes throughout each topic. Students consistently participate in activities such as planning and conducting investigations, using models to explore scientific concepts, analyzing data, communicating their findings, and defending their answers with evidence. Ongoing formative assessments use a variety of question types. The primary student material is the Experience Handbook which serves as the textbook. It includes reading material activities, and review and assessment questions. The Savvas Realize platform includes a variety of resources such as interactive activities for students, and video and audio materials. Teacher resources include a scope and sequence, a course pacing guide, and presentation materials. Each “Investigation” provides an “Overview” for the teacher that includes background and preparation videos, a preview of the topic, background information for the teacher, common misconceptions, vertical alignment of the standards, and ideas for home connections. The materials are only available in English but are formatted for translation using Google Translate. Learn more about how these materials support special populations, including Emerging Bilinguals by reading Learning List's editorial reviews. About  Learning List Learning List’s reviews are available through a low-cost subscription. Contact  info@LearningList.com  to learn about subscribing to our instructional materials review service, which provides immediate access to our independent, evidence-based reviews of more than 3,300 PreK-12 instructional materials. Subscribing districts can also submit materials for review at no additional charge. About Savvas Learning Company * Savvas Learning Company (formerly Pearson K12 Learning), is a next-generation learning company. Their goal is to combine new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting to create innovative learning solutions. Savvas is “driven by a shared purpose to prepare students to thrive in our rapidly changing world. We do that by combining the power of advanced technology and dynamic curriculum to create next-generation learning solutions — delivered in the physical classroom or in remote settings — that offer engaging, personalized, and real-world learning experiences.”   Information in the section is provided by or adapted from Savvas.*

Over the years, Learning List has assisted hundreds of districts in planning and running K-12 curriculum adoptions. As a result, we have observed many "what to do's" and "what not to do's." One of the critical "to-do's" is to plan the process. A well-planned, thorough process is far more likely to lead to a successful outcome. Some important decision points to consider as you plan an K-12 curriculum adoption process include: (1) Articulate the need to adopt a new K-12 curriculum: To ensure buy-in for a newly selected material, teachers, campus administrators, the school board, and the community should understand why the district or campus needs to purchase new materials now. (2) Define the non-negotiables for the adoption : The non-negotiables are the basic requirements for the new material, such as budget/price limit, minimum alignment percentage, instructional model, required supports for students, and required resources for teachers. Involve the district or campus leadership, as appropriate, in defining the non-negotiables. (3) Establish a timeline : Working back from the date of the school board meeting when the new K-12 curriculum will be adopted, construct a timeline that provides sufficient time for the selection committee and the community to review the materials, the selection committee to deliberate and make recommendations to the school board, for the board to adopt the materials, and for the materials to be distributed to the teachers and students. Keep in mind that teachers need to receive the new materials with sufficient time to participate in professional development and plan lessons using the new material before the school year begins. (4) Document the review process logistics : To make sure that the reviews will be conducted in a uniform manner within the prescribed timeline, all selection committee members and the community need to know: When, where, and for how long the materials will be available for review How the reviews will take place (virtually or in-person), and if the reviews will be conducted virtually, where login credentials for each material will be available Whether publisher presentations will be permitted, and if so, when and where those presentations will take place Whether a rubric has been developed for the review process and if so, when it will be distributed How and when reviewers' responses must be submitted and to whom Voting protocols for committee deliberations Distribution and implementation logistics (5) Identify the Selection Committee Makeup : State law and/or school board policy may dictate the positions that must be represented on the selection committee. Generally speaking, the committee should consist of a representative sample of teachers who will be using the material and staff who will be supporting its implementation. Both experienced and inexperienced teachers should participate. In addition to the makeup of the committee, it is important to document attendance requirements and how selection committee members will be replaced if they are unable to meet those requirements. Learning List's Selection Toolkit provides customizable planning documents, including a Decision Tree document that ensures that all key decision points are considered, and a Timeline document that helps to backward design the selection process. Read our free, publicly available whitepaper titled, Guidance for Selecting or Curating High-Quality Instructional Resource , for more detailed information and step-by-step guidance for planning and implementing a K-12 curriculum review and adoption process efficiently and effectively.

Cengage’s Foundations of Astronomy (Cengage Astronomy) is a comprehensive science program for high school Astronomy. The program focuses on developing students’ understanding of astronomy through the scientific method. Learning List reviewed the version of the material submitted for state adoption in Texas under Proclamation 2024. Cengage Astronomy  organizes the eBook into six parts, each of which focuses on major concepts in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Chapters open with an image that represents the content of the chapter, an overview of the chapter, and questions to guide student thinking as they read the content. The primary student activities in the student book are reading to learn and answering questions. Chapters include numerous charts, graphs, and images to help students understand the concepts. Periodically, callouts support students in understanding the scientific method, scientific processes, and how scientists think and work. Each chapter concludes with a summary of each section in the chapter and questions of various types to assess student learning. Summative assessments were not evident. Teachers can create their own tests in the Cognero Test Bank. The materials are available in print and digital format. A student eBook is available through Cengage’s Webassign platform. The primary teacher material is provided on a separate companion site with numerous instructional resources. The companion site does not connect to the student platform. Learn more about the material's rigor and supports available for students by reading Learning List’s editorial review. Learning List has recently reviewed these other science materials by Cengage: Biology , World of Chemistry , Body Structures and Functions , Forensic Science Fundamentals and Investgations , Oceanography, and Earth Science. About  Learning List Learning List’s reviews are available through a low-cost subscription. Contact  info@LearningList.com  to learn about subscribing to our instructional materials review service which provides immediate access to our independent, evidence-based reviews of more than 3,300 PreK-12 instructional materials. Subscribing districts can also submit additional materials for review at no additional charge.  About  National Geographic/Cengage * National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Learning, is a leading educational publisher of PreK–12 School and English Language Teaching. At National Geographic Learning, we believe that an engaged and motivated learner will be a successful one, and we design our materials with a highly interactive storytelling approach which is a great way to invoke these connections. *Content in this section is adapted from  National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning

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 materials (Doan et al., 2025, pg. 22). Many of these resources come from free online marketplaces like Teachers Pay Teachers, Pinterest, and Khan Academy, and  increasingly , educators are using AI tools to generate customized instructional content.   When carefully vetted for standards alignment, supplemental materials strengthen instruction by providing scaffolds, enrichment, and interventions that accelerate learning.  However, when materials are not aligned, they can undermine student progress and create confusion. Over the last 12 years, Learning List has reviewed nearly 4,000 core and supplemental materials across all four core subject areas. Whereas we find most core materials to be highly aligned, supplemental materials are far more varied in their alignment, even when judged only against the standards they were designed to address. Why Alignment of Supplemental Materials Matters Given their widespread use, supplemental materials play a significant role in classroom instruction. Verifying the alignment of those resources is critical for the following reasons: 1. To Prevent Learning Gaps and Misconceptions Using non-aligned supplemental resources creates gaps in student learning, which compound over time, leaving students unprepared for assessments and future coursework. A 2019 Fordham Institute study  of 300 of the most downloaded supplemental English Language Arts lessons (from thee popular websites: Teachers Pay Teachers, ReadWrite Think, and Share My Lesson) revealed that the downloaded lessons did “a poor job of building students’ content knowledge, and they are generally not cognitively demanding” (Polikoff & Dean, 2019, pg.15).  2. To Maximize Instructional Time Teachers already face immense time pressures. Aligned materials ensure every activity builds toward mastery of grade-level standards, reducing the need for reteaching. 3. To Promote Instructional Equity Across Classrooms Without aligned resources, instructional quality depends on individual teacher judgment and access to resources, which can lead to inequities across classrooms. High-quality, standards-aligned materials promote equity and consistency, ensuring all students have rigorous learning opportunities. Conclusion Supplemental materials can be powerful tools for enriching instruction, scaffolding learning, and closing gaps, but only when they are aligned to standards. Districts that prioritize standards-aligned supplemental resources: Empower teachers with confidence, Protect valuable instructional time, and Give students the best chance for long-term success. In an era when teachers rely heavily on supplemental content, alignment is essential for student success. Learning List’s  Alignment Tool  makes it easy to check the alignment of any instructional resource  in just minutes . Starting at $600 per year, this tool is accessible to districts of all sizes. Contact Info@LearningList.com to request a free trial account.

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 integrate evidence-based language into your leadership practice. Establish a clear, shared focus on student learning through instructional resources. Strong PLCs begin with a shared mission around what students need to learn and how instructional resources will support that learning. According to Hanover Research , “establishing a strong common mission is the first important component for creating a framework and instructional culture conducive to effective PLC work.” In practice, this means teams explicitly unpack standards, review curriculum materials, and align pacing, tasks, and assessments with those standards. Leaders play a critical role in ensuring that instructional materials (textbooks, digital platforms, unit guides) are standards aligned, accessible, and central to collaborative planning.  Learning List’s Alignment Reports can help educators identify precisely where their instructional material aligns to each of the standards they are planning to teach. Promote structured collaboration around the instructional cycle.  Teachers need more than time together. They need a recursive process that leads them from standards analysis to planning, data analysis and reflection. Instruction Partners  suggests structuring PLC meetings around these four professional learning strategies:  Unit internalization  – "Teachers study a unit to deeply understand what students are expected to learn, how students will be assessed, and the unit’s arc of learning unit frameworks. Lesson preparation  – "Teachers study the lesson to understand what students are expected to learn, then use that understanding to make decisions about how to deliver the lesson content.” Student work analysis – "Teachers analyze student work to norm on expectations for student mastery, identify trends in mastery within their classes, and determine how to address students’ needs.”  Observation & feedback – "Instructional leaders observe teachers to identify trends in execution, then follow up to support improvement.” Leaders should scaffold each step, model facilitation, and ensure agenda fidelity so that resources are not simply glanced at, but become the engine for planning. Use instructional materials as a lens for data-informed decision making. Instructional resources should anchor data discussions in PLCs. Rather than reviewing data in isolation, effective teams examine student work tied to specific lessons and units.  According to Cognia, the PLC model “ensures teams clarify the essential learnings for each course, grade level, and unit of instruction; establish consistent pacing; create frequent common assessments … and agree on the criteria they will use to judge the quality of student work.” ( Cognia ) Administrators and coaches can strengthen these efforts by creating shared protocols that link the resource to student work. Encourage teachers to ask: Did the resource provide meaningful tasks or questions?  How are students responding to those tasks? What adjustments to the resource or instruction are needed? When PLCs use instructional materials as a lens for analysis, planning becomes purposeful and directly tied to student outcomes.  Build teacher agency through guided leadership and support. Instructional leaders must strike a balance between guiding PLC work and empowering teacher-leaders within the teams. Research identifies “shared and supportive leadership; shared values and vision; collective learning and its application; shared personal practice; and supportive conditions” as essential dimensions of PLCs. ( ERIC ) For example, instructional coaches might first model how to use the teacher edition of a curriculum resource, then gradually release facilitation to a teacher-leader. Administrators might rotate leadership roles within PLCs to help teachers grow into leadership positions. Shared leadership builds buy-in, strengthens collaboration, and ensures sustained, resource-based planning fidelity. Monitor implementation and refine continuously. High-functioning PLCs continuously monitor how instructional resources are used in classrooms. They track fidelity, analyze student outcomes, and make ongoing adjustments. As a recent Frontiers in Education study  explains, “continuous collaborative reflection on teaching practices helps teachers refine the implementation of instructional approaches and build capacity for sustainable improvement.” Leaders can: Use walkthroughs or peer-visits to observe how resources are being implemented. Build PLC agenda items around “what we learned this week from the resource and what we will adjust next week.” Celebrate when teams adjust pacing, differentiate tasks, or refine lessons based on student work. Sustainability comes when PLCs become the mechanism for continuous improvement of both instruction and the instructional resources themselves. Conclusion For campus administrators and instructional coaches seeking to lead PLCs that genuinely analyze and plan from instructional resources, these five keys provide a strategic roadmap. Start with a shared mission aligned to resources. Build structured collaboration around the resource cycle and anchor data conversations in student work tied to resources. Foster teacher-led yet supported leadership and iterate implementation through continuous monitoring. When PLCs operate this way, instructional resources become living tools rather than static documents, and teacher teams drive deeper student learning.

Heinemann’s Math Expressions  is a comprehensive K–6 math curriculum designed to engage students and build deep conceptual understanding through collaboration, problem-solving, and real-world connections. The materials are available in English and Spanish, in print and digital formats. Learning List has reviewed the material’s alignment to the Common Core Standards for Mathematics, as well as the material’s instructional quality and technology compatibility. While full access to our detailed reviews is reserved for subscribers, here are a few high-level observations about this program.  Robust Math Discourse Is Built into Math Expressions’ Daily Instruction One of the program’s hallmark features is its intentional focus on mathematical discourse. Students regularly engage in structured routines such as Math Talk, Building Concepts, and Helping Community, which require them to explain their thinking, listen to peers, ask questions, and collaboratively refine ideas. These routines not only support reasoning and communication but also mirror the intentions of the Standards for Mathematical Practice, which are threaded throughout the lessons. Comprehensive Teacher Support Teachers will find extensive content and pedagogical guidance throughout the Teacher Guide and Unit Overviews. While this level of detail supports strong instructional planning, it also means the teacher materials are lengthy. Educators may need additional time to internalize the lesson structure and routines, an important consideration for implementation planning. Matific is Included Students and teachers also have access to Matific, an adaptive digital tool designed to reinforce conceptual understanding and personalized learning. Activities emphasize critical thinking, modeling, and skills practice. (Learning List has separately reviewed Matific’s alignment to the Common Core and multiple states’ standards.) These highlights reflect only part of Learning List’s complete review of Math Expressions. Learning List subscribers have access to: A grade-level specific alignment report that include alignment determinations and documented textual evidence for each  standard A grade-band specific editorial review analyzing the program’s instructional quality, including structure, ease of use, focus, coherence and rigor, assessments, and differentiation supports A program-specific Spec Sheet that summarizes Learning List’s independent testing of the material’s digital requirements and performance.  Interested in the full, independent reviews of Math Expressions ? Contact Info@LearningList.com  to subscribe or request a demo.