Materials Adoption

Selecting instructional materials is one of the most important decisions a district will make. We’re here to help with guidance tailored specifically to the California context.

About Materials Adoption

The materials you select and how you select them matters. Schools and districts have more options than ever from which to find high-quality programs that meet their local priorities. The selection process is a critical lever for ensuring that quality materials are adopted and then used well in classrooms.

A strong materials adoption process begins with the key questions: What is your vision of instruction? What do you want students to experience in your classrooms? We’re here to help walk you through the steps towards achieving that instructional vision for students in your California district.

As outlined by the California State Constitution, the California State Department of Education considers K-8 instructional materials for adoption following a review process. Districts may choose materials off of the state adoption list or choose to adopt materials that were not reviewed through the state process, as long as the materials are aligned to state standards and a majority of the reviewers in the process are classroom teachers who are assigned to the grade level and content being considered.

All students deserve high-quality instructional materials, and research has shown that investing in quality curriculum is a cost-effective strategy with high impact on student outcomes. Getting great materials in front of students doesn’t have to wait for the next adoption list cycle – we have guidance to support districts in the adoption process of going “off list” now.

EdReports Key
Adoption Steps:

  1. Establish a process

    District leader(s) set guidelines for the adoption process and gather a committee.

  2. Develop a local lens

    Examine your data and local context in order to establish priorities for considering new instructional materials.

  3. Know and winnow your choices

    Understand the market and work toward identifying a subset of programs that can be deeply investigated.

  4. Investigate the materials

    Engage in a thorough, hands-on study of the 2-4 high-quality programs you’ve selected.

  5. Make a decision

    Use evidence collected during the investigation to make a final selection. Develop a plan to communicate the decision and get materials in teachers’ hands.

  6. Implement

    Develop and execute a plan to prepare teachers and leaders to implement the materials. Check out our Implementation Page for further guidance.

By Content Area

ELA

Click here to learn more about specific guidance for adopting ELA instructional materials.
Math

Click here to learn more about specific guidance for adopting Math instructional materials.
Science

Click here to learn more about specific guidance for adopting Science instructional materials.

Adoption Resources

Going “Off List”

As outlined by the California State Constitution, the California…

Article

Adoption

Successful CA Instructional Materials Adoption Stories: Go Slow to Go Fast

Video

Adoption

CalCurriculum Data Discovery Tool

This tool is designed to support districts in…

Tool

Adoption
View More Resources