How Can States Support More Classroom Use of Quality Instructional Materials? Let Me Count the Ways
How Can States Support More Classroom Use of Quality Instructional Materials? Let Me Count the Ways As a…
01/30/2023
Teachers deserve great instructional materials that get students excited to learn. But 70% of teachers struggle to find high-quality, rigorous material that they can use to drive learning with their students.
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Teachers use instructional materials in their classrooms every day: they are the activities, guiding questions, and home enrichment resources that students use to learn new skills and demonstrate understanding. They also include training for teachers implementing the curriculum at school and resources for families supporting learning at home. However, not all instructional materials are of the same quality. Nationwide, only about 30% of teachers are consistently using quality materials.
Research consistently shows that using high-quality instructional materials in the classroom is one of the most effective ways to improve student learning and engagement. To accelerate learning past the pandemic, high-quality materials are more important than ever to meet changing educational needs. State and district leaders can support educators, students, and families by ensuring access to these materials and resources.
High-quality instructional materials are strong, engaging resources and approaches for teaching and learning that are:
Aligned
Aligned to a state’s academic standards and informed by embedded assessments to monitor progress.
Endorsed
Endorsed by educators and supported by training for teachers and families.
Centered
Centered on equity and adaptability for all learners and environments (including virtual).
Materials in My State
State profiles include publicly available information from the state education agency about instructional materials, guidance, and accompanying professional development (PD)/professional learning (PL). States featured so far offer a variety of approaches to elevating high-quality materials and training and/or dedicating COVID relief funding to these efforts. Additional profiles will be populated over time.
Click on the map below to explore how states and districts are using high-quality learning materials to improve education. Don’t see your state? Check out EdReports.Org for detailed curriculum reviews.
1
Alabama
Curriculum Resources
Although Alabama does not review or recommend curriculum, it does have a statewide initiative supporting the development of high-quality literacy instruction.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
The Alabama Reading Initiative provides K-5 proficiency scales and resources on its website, including a curriculum evaluation tool to help identify instructional practices that align with the science of reading.
Learn More
Professional Development and Learning
Alabama does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
ESSER Plan
Alabama’s ESSER Plan involves a comprehensive needs assessment in order to align subject-specific HQIM with state standards.
1
Kansas
Curriculum Resources
While Kansas does not provide state resources around high-quality materials and professional development, we’re watching closely for what’s to come. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Adoption Guidance & Tools
Kansas does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials.
Professional Development and Learning
Kansas does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website.
ESSER Plan
Kansas’ ESSER Plan does not include high-quality instructional materials or professional learning.
1
Michigan
Curriculum Resources
Michigan does not review or recommend curriculum, but it does support #GoOpen Michigan, the state’s OER Commons hub for educators who are “dedicated to using high quality, openly-licensed educational resources”, some of which are rated green by EdReports.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Michigan’s Read by Grade Three law requires that schools provide “evidence-based reading programs” and interventions for struggling readers.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Michigan does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
ESSER Plan
Michigan’s ESSER Plan notes that it will support the MiSTEM Network in training teachers in math recovery content, including using high-quality instructional tools. It mentions that the state will administer a Survey of Enacted Curriculum “as a tool to customize the support to districts in implementing a high-quality curriculum”.
1
Virginia
Curriculum Resources
The Virginia Board of Education is responsible for approving textbooks for use in Virginia’s public schools, some of which are rated green on EdReports, though local school boards may adopt textbooks that are not on the state list provided the local board selects the textbooks in accordance with state regulations.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Virginia does not offer tailored guidance on implementing high-quality instructional materials, but it does provide extensive resources on standards alignment on each academic subject’s web page.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Virginia does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website. However, some of its subject web pages offer subject-specific professional learning resources.
ESSER Plan
Virginia’s ESSER Plan allocates $500,000 to developing quality social-emotional learning curricula.
1
Maine
Curriculum Resources
While Maine offers content standards and research-based curriculum suggestions by subject area, there is no description of a standard for high-quality materials. Maine also supports the Maine Opportunities for Online Sustained Education (MOOSE) platform, an online library of project-based resources the state has developed since 2020. The resources on this platform are grouped by academic standard.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Maine does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Professional Development and Learning
MOOSE states that it is “known for its quality professional development”, though the standards for these professional development opportunities is not clear.
ESSER Plan
Maine’s ESSER Plan will continue funding MOOSE.
1
California
Curriculum Resources
While the California Department of Education does not outline a specific focus on high-quality instructional materials, the state offers a number of approved curricular resources, many of which have received a green rating from EdReports.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
California does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Professional Development and Learning
California’s Quality Professional Learning Standards identifies characteristics of effective professional learning, and the web page includes resources for assessing professional learning programs.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
California’s ESSER Plan includes a fund for the 21st Century California School Leadership Academy to “provide high-quality professional learning for administrators and other school leaders”.
1
Minnesota
Curriculum Resources
Minnesota provides information on content standards and resources by subject area, but the state does not provide information on whether materials are high quality.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Minnesota’s Reading Well by Third Grade law requires teachers to “provide comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction” and for elementary teachers to receive training in providing this instruction. Each school district must adopt a local literacy plan to have every child reading at or above grade level by the end of grade 3.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Minnesota does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
ESSER Plan
Minnesota’s ESSER Plan does not include high-quality instructional materials or professional learning.
1
Missouri
Curriculum Resources
Missouri provides information on content standards by subject and resources by subject area, but the state does not provide information on whether the materials are high quality.
Adoption Guidance & Tools
Missouri does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials. However, the state has increased its support of evidence-based reading through the Missouri Read, Lead, Exceed initiative, the state’s plan to dedicate $25 million in state funding and over $35 million in federal relief funding to support student literacy. Local education agencies can apply to the Evidence-Based Reading Instruction Program Fund to be reimbursed for efforts to improve student literacy.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
As part of the Missouri Read, Lead, Exceed initiative, K-3 classroom teachers can participate in training on the science of reading.
ESSER Plan
Missouri’s ESSER Plan does not include high-quality instructional materials or professional learning.
1
Pennsylvania
Curriculum Resources
Pennsylvania’s Standards Aligned System (SAS) provides curriculum resources by content area and a Voluntary Model Curriculum, but does not provide information on whether materials are high quality.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Though the focus is not specifically on identifying high quality materials, SAS provides Curriculum Frameworks to help educators choose curriculum that aligns to the state’s academic standards.
Professional Development and Learning
Recent amendments to the Pennsylvania Code require the Pennsylvania Department of Education to integrate structured literacy instruction in educator preparation and continuing professional development programs for professional employees who teach reading.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Pennsylvania’s ESSER Plan supports teacher training in “high-quality reading instruction grounded in the science of reading”.
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Idaho
Curriculum Resources
While Idaho does not have a specific focus on high-quality materials, the state provides a list of recommended curricular materials, some of which are rated green on EdReports.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Idaho lists several guides and tools for selecting instructional materials (look under Links, General Information), some of which focus on high-quality materials, such as EdReports and SETDA’s Guide to Quality Instructional Materials.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Idaho does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
ESSER Plan
Idaho’s ESSER Plan does not include high-quality instructional materials or professional learning.
1
Vermont
Curriculum Resources
Vermont does not provide a repository of curriculum resources; however, the state implements a Coordinated Curriculum, a model in which the curriculum used is vetted for six different attributes, including high-quality instructional materials.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Learn more about how Coordinated Curriculum is adopted and implemented across schools in Vermont here.
Professional Development and Learning
Vermont’s Professional Learning Network is dedicated to providing “high-quality professional learning that spans the continuum of an educator’s career.”
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Vermont’s ESSER Plan, called Building for the Future: Vermont’s Plan for Education Recovery and Beyond, includes minimal references to high-quality instructional materials but states that all literacy teaching should be high-quality and based in science and evidence.
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New York
Curriculum Resources
Curriculum is determined by individual districts in New York, and the state recently ended its support for EngageNY (although archived curriculum files can still be found here, some of which are rated green by EdReports).
Adoption Guidance & Tools
While New York does not explicitly focus on high-quality materials, the state provides guides for aligning local curricula to its Next Generation Learning Standards in English and math.
Professional Development and Learning
New York provides various guidance and toolkits to help districts design effective professional learning, including the State Professional Learning Standards, which are designed to “provide a blueprint for high-quality professional development”.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
New York’s ESSER Plan does not mention high-quality instructional materials, but states a commitment to advancing high-quality social emotional learning.
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Indiana
Curriculum Resources
While Indiana does not provide state resources around high-quality materials and professional development, we’re watching closely for what’s to come.
Adoption Guidance & Tools
Indiana does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Professional Development and Learning
INLearning Partnership provides a hub of “relevant, engaging, and actionable” PL resources for educators. A new 2023 Summer of Learning grant program also offers PL opportunities through a series of conferences about teaching and learning in technology-rich environments, covering topics like the science of reading.
ESSER Plan
Indiana’s ESSER Plan does not mention high quality instructional materials or professional learning.
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South Dakota
Curriculum Resources
South Dakota’s state landing page does not identify a current high-quality materials review process. While we keep an eye on South Dakota for more state activity in facilitating the use of high-quality instructional materials, check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Adoption Guidance & Tools
South Dakota does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials.
Professional Development and Learning
South Dakota does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website.
ESSER Plan
South Dakota’s ESSER Plan supports existing curriculum providers in the state, specifically expanding digital access for students.
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Montana
Curriculum Resources
While not explicitly focused on high quality materials, many of the state-approved curricula from the 2021 Curriculum Review are reviewed and rated (in many cases, green!) by EdReports. Montana also offers resources for each academic subject on its content pages, some of which are reviewed and rated highly on EdReports.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
While the state education agency does not specifically discuss a focus on high-quality materials, Montana’s criteria for selecting instructional materials suggests reviewing reports from evidence-based research sources such as EdReports. The state also offers guidance on selecting instructional materials that incorporate acceleration and on evaluating American Indian materials and resources.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Montana’s Teacher Learning Hub provides high quality professional learning for the state’s educators.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Montana’s ESSER Plan does not mention high-quality instructional materials, but it does frequently emphasize the importance of “evidence-based curriculum.”
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North Dakota
Curriculum Resources
North Dakota offers information and resources on the science of reading in accordance with recent legislation.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
North Dakota’s science of reading legislation requires districts and schools to use curriculum that is “scientifically based, evidence based, and research based” and to offer professional development on the science of reading for K-3 teachers.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
The ND Department of Education promotes and offers high-quality professional development to enhance teacher efficacy and experience in the classroom.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
North Dakota’s ESSER Plan doesn’t mention high-quality instructional materials but emphasizes professional learning to combat learning loss.
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Hawaii
Curriculum Resources
Although Hawaii has not updated its list of approved curricula since 2013, many of the state-approved programs are reviewed and rated highly by EdReports.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Hawaii does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials.
Professional Development and Learning
Hawaii does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website.
ESSER Plan
Hawaii’s ESSER Plan notes that professional development for “social emotional learning, trauma-informed care, and curriculum and instructional strategies” will be offered statewide.
1
West Virginia
Curriculum Resources
West Virginia’s state landing page does not identify a current high-quality materials review process. While we keep an eye on West Virginia for more state activity in facilitating the use of high-quality instructional materials, check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state
Adoption Guidance & Tools
West Virginia does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials.
Professional Development and Learning
A state report called Professional Learning Reimagined includes guidance for creating and implementing high quality professional learning.
ESSER Plan
The state’s ESSER Plan identifies the need for high-quality professional learning opportunities in educator workforce development programs.
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Utah
Curriculum Resources
Districts in Utah maintain local authority in the choice of instructional materials, although the state provides a large hub of recommended curriculum resources on its Recommended Instructional Materials System (RIMS). Some of the programs listed by the state are rated green on EdReports. Utah also supports the Utah Education Network, an open educational resource that provides instructional materials for free.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Utah provides rubrics prepared by curriculum specialists to help reviewers evaluate instructional materials. The state’s landing page also links to the State Instructional Materials Review Association (SIMRA), which is made up of several states who collaborate to evaluate instructional materials and provides information on selecting high quality materials.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Although Utah does not offer robust high quality professional learning resources, the Utah Education Network’s Utah Effective Teaching Standards can help teachers design and implement effective lessons.
ESSER Plan
Utah’s ESSER Plan identifies a partial use of funds to reinforce the State Board of Education’s emphasis on high-quality instructional practices.
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New Jersey
Curriculum Resources
New Jersey does not review or recommend curricular materials, but it does provide standards for each subject area and curriculum resources such as model curriculum and curriculum frameworks on its website. New Jersey also partners with OpenSciEd on the expansion of quality middle school science materials.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
New Jersey has a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Educational Resources web page that “can be used to develop curricula, facilitate professional learning and engage community stakeholders in conversations on incorporating diversity and inclusion throughout the kindergarten through twelfth-grade learning environment” in response to new legislative requirements.
Professional Development and Learning
New Jersey lists standards and guidance for “high quality, relevant and timely professional learning experiences” on its website.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
New Jersey’s ESSER Plan mentions access to high-quality digital literacy resources, but doesn’t address high-quality academic materials.
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Iowa
Curriculum Resources
Although Iowa does not review or recommend curriculum materials, Iowa Core provides instructional and educator resources for Literacy, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Adoption Guidance & Tools
Some of the academic subjects covered by Iowa Core include ‘alignment tools’ (such as EdReports) to help identify quality materials.
Professional Development and Learning
Iowa does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website.
ESSER Plan
Iowa’s ESSER Plan notes it will allocate funds to “revise and adapt the state’s existing materials on implementation of evidence-based interventions” for MTSS (at-risk students) addressing summer learning loss in the context of the COVID pandemic.
1
Washington
Curriculum Resources
Washington supports the #GoOpen Washington OER cohort, which provides reviewed instructional materials for free.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
The state offers extensive resources on the review of high-quality materials. Find more information on the review, selection, and development process of high-quality OER materials here.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Washington does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website.
ESSER Plan
Washington’s ESSER Plan mentions high-quality instructional materials for English language learners but does not mention that same standard across all subjects.
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Wyoming
Curriculum Resources
Wyoming provides a suite of resources through Open Range Wyoming, the state’s OER Commons hub, which prioritizes “creating and sharing high-quality units, lessons, and resources that have been aligned to current Wyoming State Content Standards”, some of which are rated green by EdReports.
Adoption Guidance & Tools
Wyoming does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Professional Development and Learning
Wyoming does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website, but is developing a “curriculum training clearinghouse” and a professional learning program on the science of reading in accordance with its ESSER Plan.
ESSER Plan
Wyoming’s ESSER Plan allocates $2M for a “curriculum training clearinghouse” project aimed at professional learning. The state’s plan also mentions the creation of Embracing Literacy, “a PD opportunity dedicated to increasing educator’s understanding of the science of reading and translating that knowledge into classroom practice”.
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Florida
Curriculum Resources
Florida does not currently review or recommend curricular materials or resources. However, the state did recently roll out a state-wide reading initiative to provide over 81,000 high-quality books to elementary school students.
Adoption Guidance & Tools
Florida does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Professional Development and Learning
Florida provides a list of professional learning standards and indicators based on Learning Forwards’ Standards for Professional Learning.
ESSER Plan
Florida plans to use some ESSER funds to address lost instructional time, specifically focusing on training teachers in the science of reading to combat early literacy loss.
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North Carolina
Curriculum Resources
Although schools are able to choose any curricular materials, the State Board of Education annually evaluates and adopts textbooks, some of which are rated on EdReports. The state also supports the #GoOpen North Carolina OER cohort, which provides reviewed instructional materials for free. In addition, North Carolina partners with Imagine Learning to assist students, educators, and parents in math, and with Learning.com to improve digital literacy throughout the state.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Guidance about North Carolina’s textbook adoption process can be found here.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
North Carolina’s National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) is working to increase “district, school, and teacher capacity to implement a high-quality math curriculum” as a Learning Partner for the Effective Implementation Cohort, a group of curriculum and professional learning providers sponsored by the Gates Foundation.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
North Carolina’s ESSER Plan stipulates digital literacy instructional materials must be high-quality, but does not mention the same standard for other subject areas.
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Illinois
Curriculum Resources
Illinois does not review or endorse curriculum, but it provides a list of supplemental tools for parents and teachers to support student learning, some of which are rated green on EdReports.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Illinois provides a series of webinars on its Curriculum Evaluation Tool, which districts can use to “support best practices and continuous quality improvement, including an emphasis on equity and diversity, and the selection of high-quality instructional materials.”
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Illinois does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website.
ESSER Plan
Illinois’ ESSER plan includes a focus on improving the state Curriculum Evaluation Tool and Priority Learning Standards PD, as well as contributing more than $10 million towards a “high impact tutoring program” for all students.
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Arizona
Curriculum Resources
Arizona does not review or recommend curricular materials or resources, but provides this landing page with links to evidence-based practices and clearinghouses that review curricula. In addition, the state is emphasizing quality literacy instruction with attention to the science of reading and through recent legislation, which requires districts to annually submit K-3 reading program plans.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
In accordance with its new legislation, the Arizona Department of Education will “develop program implementation guidance for school districts and charter schools to assist schools in administering an effective K-3 evidence-based reading program plan.”
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Arizona does not yet include information on high quality professional learning on its website. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Arizona’s ESSER Plan does not mention high-quality instructional materials or professional learning.
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South Carolina
Curriculum Resources
South Carolina has a web page for instructional materials with information on state requirements, including listings of the K-12 state adopted and supplemental instructional materials on state contract, some of which are rated green on EdReports.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
South Carolina provides an overview of its instructional materials adoption program.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
South Carolina has a state Instruction Hub which is “embarking on a journey to provide more resources for lesson planning, student learning, exemplary teaching strategies and professional opportunities.”
Learn MoreESSER Plan
South Carolina’s ESSER Plan supports the existing Learning Object Repository (LOR), a database of state-aligned, rigorous instructional materials. The plan also funds high-quality social-emotional learning curricula and corresponding professional learning.
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Arkansas
Curriculum Resources
The Arkansas Initiative for Instructional Materials (AIIM) provides high-quality instructional resources in ELA, Math, and Science.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Multiple tools and resources are available to help educators through the adoption process.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Arkansas includes professional learning in their Five Key Priorities, and resources focused on professional learning can be found on their professional development website.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Arkansas’ ESSER Plan notes it will continue supporting access to high-quality instructional materials through Arkansas’ Initiative for Instructional Materials (AIIM).
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Oregon
Curriculum Resources
Oregon provides information on state-approved instructional materials, all rated by EdReports, as well as an Importance of High-Quality Instructional Materials report. Oregon also supports the #GoOpen Oregon OER cohort, which provides reviewed instructional materials for free.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
The state provides extensive information on adoption criteria for instructional materials.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Information on professional development resources, including a discussion of the need for high-quality materials implementation to be guided by professional learning.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Oregon’s ESSER Plan focuses on expanding access to high-quality digital materials and culturally responsive curricula for Indigenous students through community partnerships.
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Kentucky
Curriculum Resources
KDE offers a suite of resources for students, educators and families, specifically aimed at supporting at-risk students. KY also recognizes the importance of high-quality instructional resources, and offers detailed guidance through a Model Curriculum Framework. is implementing a pilot to help 12 districts implement a high-quality local curriculum.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Find resources for instructional resources alignment across subject areas and grades.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
KY highlights the value of high-quality professional learning and provides a wide range of resources.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Kentucky’s ESSER Plan provides funding for individual districts to design and implement their own curricula; 12 districts are working on a pilot program to help schools and districts develop high-quality local curriculum aligned with the statewide Model Curriculum Framework through June 2023. In addition, ESSER money is being allocated to “equip and empower local schools and districts in providing educators access to high-quality professional learning (HQPL)”.
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Georgia
Curriculum Resources
Georgia provides high-level information on curricular resources (scroll down to find Curriculum and Instruction links on the right-hand side).
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
The state details how adoption decisions are up to local districts and offers a chart detailing policies and laws that govern curriculum and instruction.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Georgia’s Professional Learning Resources for Teachers and Leaders emphasizes “high-quality professional learning that is job-embedded, collaborative, and focused.”
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Georgia’s ESSER Plan describes a focus on curating “high-quality, Georgia-developed resources, professional learning, and high impact instructional practices.
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Connecticut
Curriculum Resources
Connecticut offers a suit of Open Education Resources (OER) (scroll to “Content Collections” that are evaluated and rated as high quality, as well as model curricula in subjects like math and science in accordance with legislation signed into law in 2021.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
CT offers guidance on implementation and an explanation for how it ranks and rates its open education resources.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
CT defines high-quality professional learning as a process that provides educators with “relevant, individual and collaborative opportunities to enhance their practice”. It outlines professional learning standards and elements of a high-quality professional learning system.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Connecticut used a portion of its ESSER funding to create statewide model curricula based on high-impact instructional materials that are be available to all schools on the GoOpenCT website.
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Nevada
Curriculum Resources
Find a list of state-approved instructional materials by subject on the right side of the page. Nevada recently announced high-quality instructional materials and professional learning as state priorities.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Scroll to the middle of this page to find guidance for the adoption of materials. Learn more about NV’s material evaluation criteria at the bottom of the page.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Learn more about NV’s push for high-quality professional development through their Standards for Professional Development.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Nevada’s ESSER Plan includes a focus on high-quality instructional materials and professional learning.
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Maryland
Curriculum Resources
Maryland provides a repository of evidence-based curricular resources for math and ELA.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Maryland provides information on the state process and resources to vet ELA and math curriculum and also posts district curriculum vetting reports.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
The state Professional Learning page provides links to resources such as curricular support materials and opportunities for educator development.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Maryland’s ESSER Plan allocates $118M to “high-quality tutoring services” to make up for learning loss, but doesn’t mention high-quality instructional materials or professional learning in its plan.
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Alaska
Curriculum Resources
Alaska does not currently review or recommend curricular materials or resources. Check out our advocacy tool to learn more about how you can push for quality curricula and training in your state.
Take ActionAdoption Guidance & Tools
Alaska does not currently offer guidance for its districts on adopting high-quality instructional materials.
Professional Development and Learning
Alaska offers a Science of Reading Leadership Academy to help principals and other school leaders understand the science of reading and support teachers with a variety of literacy leadership strategies in their school and classrooms.
ESSER Plan
Alaska has prioritized spending state ESSER dollars on providing high-quality materials and professional development. The state’s ESSER Plan mentions improving “effective curriculum” and leverage contractors to “research and organize” quality materials.
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Colorado
Curriculum Resources
Colorado’s READ Act requires schools to use literacy programs based in the science of reading from an approved list.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Colorado provides information and resources for selecting evidence-based instructional materials, including the Reading League’s Curriculum Evaluation Tool, which “identifies green flags for instructional practices that align with the science of reading and red flags for practices that do not”.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
CO offers a suite of resources to help teachers use high-impact instructional practices. Lesson samples by content area can be found at the bottom of the page. In addition, recent legislation requires elementary principals and teachers of grades 4-12 who work with struggling readers to complete training on reading instruction by August 2024. All teachers of grades K-3 were already required to do so by August 2022.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Colorado’s ESSER Plan specifically sets aside funds to support both high quality instructional materials and the necessary professional development so teachers can effectively implement the material.
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Oklahoma
Curriculum Resources
Comprehensive information on curriculum frameworks and state and district adoption processes plus free high-quality, reviewed open education resources in multiple subjects.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Extensive support for districts adopting high-quality materials, including textbook review committee opportunities.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
A catalog of professional learning opportunities across all grade levels and subject areas. Use the search feature for ‘high quality,’ and see how OK links professional learning.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Oklahoma’s ESSER Plan significantly expands professional learning opportunities for educators, but doesn’t explicitly mention high-quality instructional materials.
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Wisconsin
Curriculum Resources
Wisconsin offers a map of high-quality instructional materials in use across the state, plus a comprehensive list of state-approved materials.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Details on implementation as well as supports for teachers using high quality materials.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Partnership with Rivet Education to provide high-quality professional learning opportunities in addition to a suite of professional learning resources.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Wisconsin’s ESSER Plan includes a vision of “High quality, standards-aligned curriculum [that] can be contextualized within place-based and/or project-based learning.”
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Delaware
Curriculum Resources
Delaware offers extensive resources on selecting, adopting, and implementing high-quality materials. The state provides lists of high-quality instructional materials for English and math, as well as Digital DE, a hub for high-quality instructional materials and educator tools.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Support for districts in choosing and implementing high-quality curriculum can be found here, as well as resources on selection and implementation.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Access to suites of professional learning materials for leaders and educators, including a detailed plan for implementing high-quality professional learning and resources on DE Delivers.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Delaware’s ESSER Plan discusses the development of high-quality instructional materials for socio-emotional learning and professional learning opportunities to support the adoption and implementation of high-quality instuctional materials in the classroom. It also mentions the importance of high-quality materials in summer acceleration programs.
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Texas
Curriculum Resources
Check out the Effective Schools Framework, which prioritizes high-quality materials, Texas Home Learning, the Texas Resource Review, and general information on materials.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Texas Resource Review of high-quality materials, plus details on the adoption process and implementation.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Texas Instructional Leadership resources on data-driven instruction, lesson alignment, and formative assessment, as well as CRIMSI: aligned professional learning to support implementation.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Texas’ ESSER Plan continues the development of Texas Home Learning, a state database of rigorous instructional materials.
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Massachusetts
Curriculum Resources
Massachusetts provides comprehensive resources on evaluating, selecting, and implementing quality materials – including CURATE, teacher-led reviews with exemplar materials.
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Check the Quick Reference Guides for guidance on selection and implementation of quality materials.
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A collection of resources to support high quality professional learning, including comprehensive materials through Rivet Education’s PLPG.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Massachusetts’ ESSER Plan will continue supporting CURATE, a state-based curriculum review platform to ensure districts have access to high-quality instructional materials.
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Rhode Island
Curriculum Resources
Rhode Island provides a list of district curriculum selections ranked on a red-to-green scale for quality, as well as an interactive Curriculum Visualization Tool.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Extensive resources for adopting and implementing high quality materials, including webinars and infographics explaining the importance of these materials.
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Multiple resources for educators working to implement materials in their classrooms.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Rhode Island’s ESSER Plan guides districts to invest in high-quality instructional materials with specific “implementation supports” for ELA and math.
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Tennessee
Curriculum Resources
An online hub for free materials and related training.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Information on the state textbook review, approval, and adoption process. Also see this guidance from SCORE for implementation of high-quality materials in a set of leading districts.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Extensive resources from the state; scroll to PLC Guides or TNTP IPG for resources related to literacy instruction and professional learning communities.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Tennessee’s ESSER Plan includes provision of full sets of instructional materials and videos.
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Louisiana
Curriculum Resources
Warehouse of state-reviewed instructional materials across grade levels and subjects.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Extensive support for choosing instructional materials.
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Louisiana provides vendor options for professional development focused on implementation and ongoing coaching.
Download PDFESSER Plan
Louisiana’s ESSER Plan sets aside funds to provide high-quality instructional materials for teachers in its Pre-Educator Pathway, increasing the state’s pool of qualified educators.
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New Hampshire
Curriculum Resources
NH recently partnered with Discover Education to provide quality materials to all schools in the state.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
Stay Tuned.
Professional Development and Learning
NH is in the process of expanding professional development opportunities by applying ARP funds to measures that support teachers.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
New Hampshire’s ESSER Plan doesn’t mention high-quality instructional materials but puts intense focus on professional development for teachers.
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New Mexico
Curriculum Resources
Scroll down to the “Adopted Multiple List-All Subjects” link to download a spreadsheet with extensive details on the state-reviewed curriculum.
Learn MoreAdoption Guidance & Tools
A resource manual for identifying, selecting, and implementing high-quality instructional materials.
Download PDFProfessional Development and Learning
In-depth professional learning resources surrounding high-quality instructional materials, plus a one-stop-shop list of professional learning programs that support the implementation of high-quality materials.
Download PDF HQPL MarketplaceESSER Plan
New Mexico’s ESSER Plan continues to fund the state’s three primary high-quality instructional material vendors and corresponding professional learning.
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Mississippi
Curriculum Resources
Warehouse of instructional materials reviewed and approved by MS teachers and the state.
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Adoption Guidance & Tools
State framework for districts to navigate identification and implementation of high-quality instructional materials, including rubrics for assessing materials.
Learn MoreProfessional Development and Learning
Resources for teachers and districts that support their professional growth.
Learn More Learn MoreESSER Plan
Mississippi’s ESSER Plan does not include direct ESSER investments in high-quality instructional materials or professional learning, but references the state’s long-term emphasis on these topics.
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Nebraska
Curriculum Resources
A collaborative site with EdReports-reviewed instructional materials.
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Adoption Guidance & Tools
Step-by-step guide for districts to undergo a curriculum selection process.
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Professional Development and Learning
Nebraska provides numerous resources for teachers and leaders around high-quality instructional materials, from communication to implementation. The state has also shared recordings of a series of learning sessions on “content-specific knowledge and skills related to remote instruction, essential instructional content, and instructional considerations” to support acceleration efforts.
Learn MoreESSER Plan
Nebraska’s ESSER Plan, called the NE Framework for School Renewal and Acceleration, will continue supporting state-wide high-quality materials through their NE Instructional Materials Collaborative.
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Ohio
Curriculum Resources
Ohio Materials Matter Review and EdReports provide reviewed, high-quality instructional materials.
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Adoption Guidance & Tools
A state-sponsored webinar series providing guidance for adopting equity-focused materials.
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Professional Development and Learning
OHDE supports teacher’s professional growth through a set of standards for professional development and their partnership with Learning Forward.
Download PDFESSER Plan
Ohio’s ESSER Plan centers on professional learning. Their primary high-quality instructional materials focus is strong K-12 math curricula.
Take Action
Want to raise awareness about the high-quality learning materials available for use in your state?
Connect with your local or state education officials today using the CurriculumHQ Advocacy Hub.
Curriculum A-B-C Blog
Explore commentary and stories from Jocelyn Pickford, a school board member, former educator, and policy expert on how high-quality curriculum can drive student progress and set educators up for success.
The Latest
Learn more about the promotion and use of high-quality materials across the country.