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Choosing High-Quality Instructional Materials
Districts should follow a rigorous curriculum selection process that takes into account research-based instructional practices that are aligned to the Iowa Academic Standards for Science. In choosing curriculum materials, it is important to take time to prepare stakeholders through professional development around the newest instructional practices in science and learning theories. Stakeholders need to understand the instructional models that underlie high-quality instructional materials and that align to the Iowa Academic Standards for Science.
Districts should know what questions to ask of curriculum providers, especially around ongoing professional development during implementation.
Examples of curriculum selection processes or recommend high-quality instructional materials:
EdReports - Provides steps for selecting curriculum materials and offers free, evidence-based reviews of K-12 instructional resources. These reports provide comprehensive information on a program’s alignment to standards and other indicators of quality, helping districts make informed decisions.
- NextGen TIME - A suite of tools and processes designed for professional development of leaders at the state, district, and school levels. Over the course of the NextGen TIME program, teams of educators are guided through the evaluation, selection, and planning for implementation of materials that will help teachers enact the vision of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in their classrooms. All program tools are freely available.
- Evaluating Curriculum Materials for Alignment with the New Vision for K-12 Science Education - Whether adapting existing materials or adopting new ones, it is important to evaluate all curriculum materials for deep alignment to multiple dimensions of the new vision.
Adapting High-Quality Instructional Materials
High-quality instructional materials are not meant to be scripts to follow word for word. They’re designed to be adapted. While the rich resources in these materials might feel like a ready-made script, true science teaching is built on authentic dialogue with students, which can never be fully scripted.
Effective science instruction means using materials as a strong foundation while making thoughtful adaptations that meet the needs of your unique students. This includes honoring students’ lived experiences, local customs and community culture.
Instead of aiming for fidelity in adopting curriculum, aim for integrity in adapting it. Adapting with integrity means respecting the intentional design and pedagogical framework built into quality materials. It also means being mindful that some changes—especially to scope, sequence, or instructional models—can disrupt the coherence that makes these materials effective.
When we adapt with integrity, we keep what makes high-quality instructional materials powerful while ensuring they truly work for our classrooms and our students.
- The Elements: Transforming Teaching through Curriculum-Based Professional Learning - Discusses the importance of providing quality and ongoing professional learning to educators before, during and after the adoption process.