COVID-19 Planning: Resources to Support the Use of High-Quality Instructional Materials
To support educators in their planning during the COVID-19 pandemic, EdReports has created a collection of resources to advocate for and guide decision making around the use of high-quality instructional materials.
We know, and research demonstrates, that instructional materials make a difference in supporting student success. Because of this, materials selection over the coming months and into next year can have significant short and long-term effects.
This crisis has laid bare not only the lack of quality materials in classrooms, but the consequences for student learning when access to aligned content is absent. As communities have attempted to put new structures in place, districts without aligned curricula have had to face the harsh reality of making those changes without a strong foundation in place. And unfortunately, districts lacking quality materials are the norm, not the exception. The latest findings from EdReports’ investigation into the state of the instructional materials market reveals that fewer than 20 percent of materials used by teachers are aligned to the standards.
This fall and beyond, student access to standards aligned, coherent grade-level curricula will be a key component to accelerating learning and supporting teachers, students, and parents to know what will be taught two, four, and even eight months down the line.
To support educators in their planning during the COVID-19 pandemic, EdReports has created a collection of resources to advocate for and guide decision making around the use of high-quality instructional materials. The following collection of resources is updated regularly so please bookmark this page for ease of use.
- Instructional Materials Technology Information
- Adoption and Selection Resources
- Perspectives from the Field
Instructional Materials Technology Information
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Enhanced Reports with Key Technology Information |
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3 Trends in How Instructional Materials Address Technology |
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Understand the Technology Features of Your Aligned Materials
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Key Terms to Better Understand Remote Learning and Education Technology As part of EdReports’ efforts to provide more information about the digital design and components of standards-aligned instructional materials, we have put together a list of key terms that are frequently associated with remote learning. |
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Instructional Materials Technology Information Document |
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Adoption and Selection Resources
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Selecting for Quality: 6 Key Adoption Steps What you select and how you select matters. Schools and districts have more options than ever from which to find high-quality materials 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. Explore this collection of resources and best practices to inspire your next adoption. |
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7 Best Practices for Launching Curriculum During Interrupted Schooling |
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Instructional Materials During Remote Learning: Reflection and Planning Tool |
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3 Ways Educators Can Effectively Advocate for Aligned, Coherent Curricula |
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Prioritize Content when Evaluating Digital Materials Whether students are learning in the classroom or at home, all instructional materials require meaningful vetting to determine if the content meets high standards and addresses the needs of local communities. Explore this resource for questions to consider when evaluating the content of digital materials. |
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Adopting Materials for Hybrid and Remote Settings: Know Your Technology Needs Upfront As districts launch adoption processes amidst the urgent need to find new ways to reach and teach students, technological capabilities have become a crucial consideration for new materials. |
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Perspectives from the Field
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How to Use Teacher Voice to Elevate Student Needs Educator Jessica Faith shares how even without a formal leadership role, teachers can access opportunities to advocate and lead on behalf of students. |
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My District Had a High-Quality Curriculum. Then COVID-19 Happened. Educator Jamilah Hicks shares her story as a parent coping with remote learning when students don’t have access to the materials they need. |
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Seize this Moment to Take a Different Approach to Unfinished Learning Math educator Tim Truitt shares how supporting teachers with quality instructional materials is key to addressing student learning gaps in the fall. |
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My Teachers and Students Deserve Better Instructional Materials A first year principal’s story about COVID-19, the dedication of teachers, and the critical role of quality curricula. |
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Providing teachers with quality materials that they're trained to use is critical as schools prepare for the fall My students, along with millions of others, are now experiencing an interruption in learning at a critical time followed by a long break with little to no instruction at all. Access to aligned content will be especially critical in overcoming the loss in learning gains that we will see as a result of this crisis. |
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Educator Reviewers Share Tips and Best Practices for Virtual Learning Learn from EdReports reviewers about how they are adapting to school closures and shifting daily learning for students online. |