Selecting the Right Curriculum and Tools for Your District

The Center for Education Market Dynamics • August 21, 2024

Across the country, district leaders are faced with the critical task of selecting high-quality math materials that align with their district’s unique instructional vision and goals.

Today, the availability of high-quality math materials has expanded, giving districts more choices than ever before. With this abundance of options comes the challenge of selecting the right materials that align with your district’s specific instructional goals and student needs.

The stakes are high—choosing the right tools can significantly impact student outcomes and the overall quality of math instruction in your schools.

This article focuses on how you can navigate the complex process of math curriculum selection, highlighting the importance of establishing clear, district-specific selection criteria, engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, and leading meaningful evaluation activities. By adopting a deliberate and strategic approach, district leaders like you can ensure that the chosen math materials not only meet rigorous standards, but also support equitable and effective teaching and learning.

Make sure that you have as many different stakeholders as possible for a variety of educational and political reasons. We had representatives from Special Education, Multilingual Services, the Office of African American Achievement, math coaches, the director of curriculum, and a couple of site principals. It’s super important to have all these different folks be aware of what’s happening and to be invited to any and all meetings. They didn’t pilot the curriculum like the teachers did, but at the very least they had a say and could ask questions.

– Mark Lobaco Math Coordinator, West Contra Costa Unified School District (CA)

In this article, district leaders can expect to learn about:

• Establishing District-Specific Selection Criteria: Learn how to align selection criteria with your instructional vision, utilize local data, and ensure materials meet standards for equity, rigor, and grade-level alignment.
• Forming Diverse, Inclusive Selection Committees: Discover strategies for including a broad range of stakeholders, from teachers and administrators to representatives from special programs, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation process.
• Leading Meaningful Selection Activities: Gain insights into designing thorough evaluation activities, piloting materials in real classroom settings, and engaging effectively with publishers to make the best decisions for your district.

Read Selecting the Right Curriculum and Tools for Your District