General Research
Every student, every day needs to be engaged in meaningful, affirming, grade-level instruction. To realize this vision research suggests that high quality, standards-aligned curricula and professional learning based on those curricula are crucial. The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) developed this video to tell the story of the IMPD Network and highlight the success of states over the years. The content is meant to illuminate the “Impact of the IMPD Network Case Study” which CCSSO recently released.
Research on Instructional Materials: Key Findings and Recommendations: This brief is a synthesis of key research supporting high-quality instructional materials. The brief includes key findings regarding the rationale for the selection of high-quality instructional materials. It also includes recommendations for districts to consider when selecting and implementing instructional materials.
District Curriculum Strategies
- Simplifying Teaching: A Field Experiment with “Off-the-Shelf” Lessons (Northwestern Institute for Policy Research, 2016)
- Using the RFP Process to Drive High-Quality Curriculum: Findings from the Field (Johns Hopkins School of Education – Institute for Education Policy, 2018).
- Curriculum Reform in the Nation’s Largest School Districts (Center for American Progress, 2018)
Curriculum Research and Analysis
- The Urealized Promise of High-Quality Instructional Materials, (NASBE, January 2024)
- Poor-Quality Materials Abound on Lesson-Sharing Websites, Report Says (Education Week, December 2019)
- Never Judge a Book by its Cover – Use Student Achievement Instead (Brookings, 2016)
- The Hidden Value of Curriculum Reform: Do States and Districts Receive the Most Bang for Their Buck? (Center for American Progress, 2015)
- What We Teach Matters: How Quality Curriculum Improves Student Outcomes (Learning First, 2018)
- Curriculum Research: What we know and where we need to go (Standards Work, 2017).
- Hiding in Plain Sight: Leveraging Curriculum to Improve Student Learning (Johns Hopkins School of Education – Institute for Education Policy, 2017).
Case Studies
- The Opportunity Makers: How a Diverse Group of Public Schools Helps Students Catch Up—and How Far More Can, TNTP, September 2024
- Curriculum Case Study: It’s Undeniable — Curriculum Matters for Everyone. Why Now Is the Time (The 74, December 2021)
- Louisiana Threads the Needle on Ed Reform ( Education Next, 2017)
- Rigorous, Comprehensive Curricula and Assessments in Louisiana (ERS, 2018)
- Lessons from Louisiana: Overcoming Challenges Facing Contemporary Curriculum (Learning First, 2018)
- Creating a Coherent System to Support Instruction Aligned with State Standards: Promising Practices of the Louisiana Department of Education (Rand Corporation, 2017)
Teacher Preparation
- Teaching our teachers: a better way – Using K-12 curriculum to improve teacher preparation (Learning First, 2017).
- Curriculum Literacy in Schools of Education (Learning First, 2018)
Teacher Support & Professional Learning
- Connecting Curriculum and Professional Learning in Schools (The Aspen Institute, 2017).
- School Supports for Teachers’ Implementation of State Standards (RAND Corporation, 2018)
- Combining Curriculum and Teacher Professional Learning (Learning First, 2018)
Teacher Voices
- Raising Teachers’ Voices: What do teachers say about how well their instructional materials support English Learners? (English Learners Success Forum, 2022).
- Building Capacity and Consensus through a Teacher-Led Materials Adoption (EdReports, 2018)
Content Area Research
ELA Research
- Assessing ELA Curriculum Shifts: A Practical Guide for Measurement and Progress Monitoring (Ed Instruments at Annenberg and the Research Partnership for Professional Learning, December 2024)
- How Background Knowledge Builds Good Readers and Why Knowledge Building ELA Curricula are Vital, (NASBE Jan 2024)
- Advancing Literacy Education: A Comprehensive Strategy for Embedding and Scaling the Science of Reading and High-Quality Instructional Materials in Educator Preparation Programs (CCSSO, May 2024)
- Using Evidence to Strengthen Programs (IES, 2025 )
Mathematics Research
Science Research
- Supporting Science Learning and Literacy Development Together: Initial Results From a Curriculum Study in 1st Grade Classrooms (West Ed, January 2024)
- The State of K-12 Science Curriculum (EdReports, Feb. 2024)
- New Mexico Teacher, Once a Lab Scientist, Applies Real Science to Lessons Knowledge matters campaign (The 74, 2023)
Social Studies Research
- Criteria for Standards in History/Social Studies/Social Sciences (American Historical Association (AHA), November 2024)
- History’s Habits of Mind National Council for History Education (NCHE)
- 2018 Civics Framework (National Assessment Governing Board, 2018)
- The NAEP 2018 U.S. History Framework (National Assessment Governing Board, 2018)
- Social Studies Standards Guiding Principles (The Social Studies Standards Advisory Committee, 2020)
- AIR HQIM criteria (American Institute for Research and Ed Reports, January 2024)
- How States Are Creating Conditions for Use of High-Quality Instructional Materials in K–12 Classrooms: Findings from the 2021 American Instructional Resources Survey (RAND, June 2022)