Why Instructional Materials Matter
We are at the start of a movement where districts, educators, and researchers are prioritizing the adoption of quality, standards-aligned instructional materials. These materials are the foundation that will provide equitable access to the grade-level content that all students deserve. A new wave of research indicates instructional materials have a significant impact on student outcomes:
- How the cost of instructional materials compares to other reform measures.
- What recent research shows about the connection between instructional materials and student outcomes.
- Ensuring that all students have access to grade level content.
Instructional materials can have as large an impact on student outcomes as teaching quality. Current guidance provided by the California Department of Education supports local decision making by including many state-adopted materials that districts can adopt. They have also provided adoption guidance and materials evaluation. And, they understand that adopting and implementing aligned instructional materials can be a critical equity strategy for districts to address California School Dashboard indicators.
However, districts can struggle to evaluate standards alignment and identify which materials best match district goals and needs. CalCurriculum’s goal is to help districts adopt and implement quality instructional materials by providing independent reviews, actionable resources, and guidance tailored to the California context. We’re here to help.
Additional Resources
- The Hidden Value of Curriculum Reform: Do States and Districts Receive the Most Bang for Their Curriculum Buck?, Center for American Progress
- How Well Aligned Are Textbooks to the Common Core Standards in Mathematics?, Morgan S. Polikoff
- Achievement Effects of Four Early Elementary School Math Curricula Findings for First and Second Graders, Institute of Education Sciences
- Influences on Mathematics Textbook Selection: What Really Matters?, Education Development Center
- What’s Working: Getting Teachers More Common Core Aligned Materials, Huffington Post