Why I’m optimistic about advancing quality curriculum in 2025

December always brings reflections on the months past and, ideally, feelings of hope for the new year ahead. When we look at the curriculum efforts unfolding across the states, there are lots of reasons for optimism.

As we pointed out in our recent CurriculumHQ 50-State Action Map update, 2024 has seen significant momentum for supporting high-quality instruction. The area where I’m most hopeful for additional progress in 2025? Data.

Data collection around curriculum is the focus of our newest map update. The 50-state snapshot now offers information on whether states collect and share any data on curriculum selection, implementation, and/or aligned teacher training. We made this add after countless conversations with quality curriculum advocates who echoed the same sentiment: it’s often hard or impossible to figure out which programs are being used by which districts, and thus, the best way for states to support common needs.

The 2024 standout in this area is Massachusetts, which was featured in a recent EdWeek article about this very topic along with some of my reflections about why robust data displays are so helpful. While the Bay State has been collecting and publishing information about local district curriculum choices for several years, they’ve recently updated the curriculum dashboard with search and filter features that make it easier for leaders to navigate.

How might district and state leaders use this information? At the local level, we hear frequently that those leading curriculum selection and implementation processes are hungry for “friends” – peers in similar districts using the same materials who can share advice and lessons learned. Within state education agencies, leaders want to examine any trends in materials selection and implementation across districts to identify opportunities for communities of practice and other state supports.

Speaking of support, a major player in the curriculum data arena is the Center for Education Market Dynamics (CEMD), a close friend and partner to the team at CurriculumHQ. Earlier this fall, I had the opportunity to join a panel of colleagues in high-quality curriculum advocacy in a recent webinar hosted by CEMD. Check out the conversation for a wealth of tips and resources from our two teams as well as EdReports, Rivet, and the English Learners Success Forum.

I know all these groups will be doing more great things for students and teachers in 2025.

Jocelyn Pickford is an education policy and communications specialist focusing on understanding and promoting practitioner-informed public policy across the private, public and non-profit sectors as a Senior Affiliate with HCM Strategists. She began her career in education as a high school English teacher in a regular and special education inclusion classroom and is now a public school parent and recent member of her local district school board. Previously, Jocelyn led the design, launch and implementation of the Teaching Ambassador Fellowship at the U.S. Department of Education to integrate teachers into the national education policy dialogue. Jocelyn’s passion for her work was seeded during her own public school education and took root during her classroom teaching experience in Fairfax County, Virginia, where she led action research and presented instructional materials to a variety of audiences. Jocelyn earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity College (CT), working as a professional writer and editor prior to becoming a teacher, and obtained her master’s in secondary education from the George Washington University. Jocelyn lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and two children.