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Across the country, states and school districts are placing increasing emphasis on selecting and implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Research from organizations such as RAND and TNTP shows that the curriculum teachers use plays a critical role in shaping students’ daily learning experiences and their opportunities to master grade-level standards. As districts work to improve student outcomes, leaders increasingly recognize that the quality of instructional materials directly influences what students read, write, discuss, and solve in the classroom. Materials that are well aligned to standards and thoughtfully designed help ensure that students consistently engage in rigorous, grade-level learning. However, not all instructional materials provide the same level of quality or support for teachers. Some materials omit key standards, present concepts in a fragmented sequence, or provide limited instructional guidance. Without careful evaluation, districts may adopt or rely on materials that do not fully support the learning goals they expect students to achieve. Understanding the quality, alignment, and usability of instructional materials is therefore essential for district and campus leaders responsible for curriculum decisions. What Are High-Quality Instructional Materials? High-quality instructional materials are curricula designed to support consistent, standards-aligned instruction and meaningful student learning. When implemented effectively, high-quality materials provide several important benefits for both students and teachers. Benefits of High-Quality Instructional Materials While definitions may vary slightly across states and organizations, strong instructional materials typically share several important characteristics. One of the most significant advantages is that well-designed materials help ensure consistent access to grade-level content . When curriculum aligns closely with academic standards, students are more likely to encounter the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn during the school year. Strong instructional materials also support instructional coherence . Teachers can rely on a clear sequence of lessons and activities that build toward deeper understanding, rather than needing to assemble resources from multiple sources. Another benefit is instructional support for teachers . Well-developed materials include explanations of concepts, suggested questions, examples of student work, strategies for addressing common misunderstandings, and lesson-specific strategies for adjusting the lesson to meet the needs of all students. These features can reduce planning time and help teachers deliver effective instruction for students. High-quality materials can also improve student engagement . Lessons that incorporate discussion, inquiry, and meaningful practice help students think critically and apply their learning rather than simply memorizing information. When instructional materials incorporate these elements, they help ensure that classroom instruction consistently reflects the expectations of state standards. In contrast, materials that are poorly aligned or difficult to use can create gaps in instruction. Teachers may need to spend significant time identifying missing content, modifying lessons, or searching for supplemental resources. For these reasons, many districts are placing greater emphasis on evaluating the quality of instructional materials before adopting or implementing them. How Learning List Helps Districts Evaluate Instructional Materials Determining whether instructional materials truly support teaching and learning can be challenging. Evaluating curriculum requires time, expertise, and careful analysis. For more than a decade, Learning List’s independent reviews and comparison tools have helped curriculum leaders evaluate the quality of instructional materials before adoption and teachers make informed decisions about how to use materials already in place. Standards Alignment Reports Our standards alignment reports show whether, and precisely where, each state standard is addressed in an instructional material. When a material is fully aligned to a standard, the report identifies the specific page numbers and/or lesson titles where the material addresses the content, context, and cognitive rigor of the standard. The reports also identify standards to which each material is not aligned, making it easy to see where gaps exist. Learning List's alignment reports help answer the question, "which part of the material should I use," making lesson planning more efficient and helping ensure that the standards are fully taught. Fill-in-the-Gap™ Tool If a material is not aligned to 100 percent of a state’s standards for a grade level or course, Learning List’s Fill-in-the-Gap™ tool recommends additional core or supplemental materials that address the remaining standards. This allows districts to strengthen existing curriculum resources without replacing entire instructional programs. Compare Alignment Tool Learning List’s Compare Alignment tool allows educators to conduct a standard-by-standard comparison of multiple instructional materials. Educators can use this tool to: Compare how different materials address each state standard Evaluate new curriculum options before adoption Analyze the strengths of materials already in use Support lesson planning and curriculum development These insights help districts implement instructional materials that best support standards-based instruction and maximize students’ opportunities to learn. Evidence-Based Reviews of Instructional Quality In addition to evaluating standards alignment, Learning List conducts evidence-based editorial reviews that examine the instructional quality of each product. These reviews analyze factors such as: Instructional rigor Vertical alignment across grade levels Student engagement Supports for special student populations Teacher guidance and resources Progress monitoring Ease of use For example, our reviews highlight whether a material Is text-heavy and requires extensive reading Provides diagrams, visuals, and videos to support student learning Breaks instruction into manageable segments with regular checks for understanding Includes embedded activities that reinforce key concepts These insights help educators understand how instructional materials function in real classrooms and how effectively they support student learning. Technology Compatibility Reviews When instructional materials are delivered through digital platforms, Learning List’s technology reviews test how well the materials function with the devices and systems campuses and districts are using. These reviews help districts: Avoid costly technology implementation problems Ensure materials work across devices and learning platforms Support teachers in effectively using digital instructional resources Making Informed Curriculum Decisions About Instructional Materials Instructional materials shape what students learn each day in the classroom. As states and districts place greater emphasis on high-quality instructional materials, the ability to evaluate curriculum carefully has become increasingly important. When districts select materials that are well-aligned with standards and designed to support effective instruction, they help ensure that students consistently experience rigorous, standards-based learning. Learning List’s independent reviews and comparison tools provide educators with clear, objective evidence about the quality and alignment of instructional materials. With this information, district and campus leaders can identify high-quality instructional materials and make informed decisions about the curriculum resources they use to support teaching and learning.

Does your district need math materials to support critical thinking in math? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Accelerate Learning’s STEMscopes Math for the CCSS. About STEMscopes Math for the CCSS  STEMScopes Math is a comprehensive mathematics program for grades K-Algebra I. With the addition of reviews of the middle school math content, Learning List has completed reviews of STEMscopes CCSS Math (K-Algebra I) for the Common Core State Standards. The materials are digital, with the option of printing PDF documents for most program components. The program makes intentional connections to math concepts found in everyday life.  Scopes (lessons) require students to use critical thinking, reflection, and collaborative exploration. The goal of the program is to provide meaningful learning experiences that focus on 21st-century skills and support student success in STEM careers. STEMscopes Math includes instructional experiences that support inquiry-based learning and consistently require students to explain and justify their thinking. Teacher supports include pedagogical suggestions to help teachers support high-level thinking and questioning. The STEMscopes digital platform provides an abundance of resources, including a Teacher Toolbox to support teachers in implementing the program. Read Learning List’s Editorial Review to learn more about how STEMscopes   Math supports teachers in differentiating instruction for students with specific learning needs. Learning List's Reviews of STEMscopes Math Learning List has also completed a standard-by-standard review of this material’s alignment to the CCSS, as well as a review of its technology compatibility and support for remote learning. These reviews not only inform selection decisions, they also facilitate instructional alignment and curriculum mapping, too. To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About STEMscopes* STEMscopes™, created by Accelerate Learning Inc., is an award-winning, research-based national PreK-12 STEM curriculum. Accelerate Learning has grown from a single product to a brand that now offers a variety of STEM curriculum and professional development solutions to support early learning, NGSS, and state-aligned Math and Science curriculum. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Accelerate Learning .

National Geographic/Cengage’s Body Structures and Functions (National Geographic Anatomy) is a comprehensive science program for high school Anatomy and Physiology. The program focuses on introducing students to the organization, structures, and functions of the body to help them understand how body systems work. 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 Texas version is generally organized in the same manner and provides the same instructional features and functionality as the national version, which according to the publisher's website is "aligned to National Healthcare Foundation Standards as well as NGSS Next Generation Science Standards." Thus, the information contained in our editorial review (i.e., instructional quality review) will be helpful to districts in any state.   National Geographic Anatomy organizes learning in chapters based on major concepts of anatomy and physiology. Two introductory chapters, (1) Scientific Foundations and Lab Practices, and (2) Introduction to the Structural Units, provide background information that students need to be successful in scientific study and in an anatomy and physiology course. Chapters are structured consistently. Lessons include reading material, videos, Medical Highlights, Case Studies, and Career Profile(s), which enable students to connect what they are learning to the real world. Numerous figures and illustrations throughout the lessons demonstrate key concepts and terminology. Labs and open-ended questions at the end of each chapter allow students to apply what they have learned. All of the materials for students are provided on the MindTap platform. Teacher resources are linked on a companion site, nglsync. The teacher edition mirrors the student edition and includes an Instructor’s Manual, PowerPoint lectures, a variety of formative and summative assessments, and a test item bank. Teachers can create and customize summative assessments using the item banks. The material is provided in English only. Read Learning List’s editorial review to learn about the rigor of the material and supports for Emerging Bilingual students and other special student populations.   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

Studies Weekly’s Texas Science  ( Studies Weekly)  is a core science program for grades K-5. The program focuses on engaging students in science using reading, writing, and drawing. The materials are available in print and digital format. The digital format includes printable PDF documents, accessed through the Studies Weekly platform. Science Weekly  organizes learning in units .  Units consist of three primary sections: the phenomenon or problem, inquiry activities, and additional activities to support learning the content. Within each unit, the content is organized by week, with one or two weeks of instruction per unit, generally focused on a single standard. The material is designed to support an average of 32 weeks of instruction, at 45 minutes per day. Learning is focused around a cast of characters and their experiences learning science. Units open with the presentation of a phenomenon in a comic strip starring the characters, and then through an image or video. The material includes some investigations and Engineering Design projects that encourage students to act as scientists, lead their own learning, and design their own investigations. A variety of other activities support students in learning the content. The teacher edition provides instructional resources and printable PDF materials for students. Teacher resources include a background podcast to support the teacher's content knowledge and detailed, scripted lessons for each unit. Teachers may rearrange the order of the units and the weeks, and they may create their own content. Teachers may also share their class and content with other teachers. Read Learning List's Editorial Review to learn how rigorous the material is and how it supports a diverse student population. 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 Studies' Weekly * Studies Weekly is a customized, standards-based core curriculum founded on deep learning strategies that increase student knowledge and skills in Social Studies, Science, and Health & Wellness. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Studies Weekly.

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.