The Role of Strategic Communications in the Transition to New Academic Standards and Assessments: Case Studies of Tennessee and Kentucky
This case study examines how the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the state of Tennessee managed communications in the transition to more rigorous standards. The authors present eight important lessons including: proactive communication; coordinated communication; educator engagement; simple messages;...
EQuIP Rubric for Lessons & Units: Science
The Educators Evaluating the Quality of Instructional Products (EQuIP) Rubric for science supports educators conducting in-depth evaluations of the quality of lessons and units that appear in published materials or are educator-created. The EQuIP Rubric for science extends the work of previous...
Creating Text Dependent Questions for ELLs: Examples for 6th–8th Grade
This guidance document provides useful tips for constructing text-dependent questions (TDQs) for English language learners (ELLs). In this post from Colorin Colorado!, the authors created TDQs for a middle school informational text that is appropriate for ELLs. These TDQs are based on the authors'...
Instructional Materials Evaluation Toolkit (IMET) - Math
This tool is designed to evaluate comprehensive math curricula (including supplemental materials) for grades K–12 to determine alignment with the Common Core State Standards in mathematics. The IMET can be used as a guide both in vetting existing curricula and in developing new programs.
Mathematics Grade-Level Instructional Materials Evaluation Tool-Quality Review (GIMET-QR)
This evaluation tool offers a way to assess existing grade-level curriculum for alignment with the Common Core State Standards in mathematics, both in terms of content and instructional design. Reviewers are provided with an extensive rubric, the first and largest section of which analyzes several...
Independent Reviews of Instructional Materials
These reports were created as a resource for teachers, parents, state and district officials, and others with an interest in identifying Common Core–aligned instructional materials.
Illustrative Mathematics Task Review Criteria
This tool can be used to design lessons and tasks and to evaluate the alignment of existing ones. It was developed for use in vetting resources to be included in the Illustrative Mathematics task bank. Teachers, instructional coaches, and other educators will find it useful for classroom-level use...
ELA/Literacy Grade-Level Instructional Materials Evaluation Tool-Quality Review (GIMET-QR)
The GIMET-QR is a tool designed by the Council of the Great City Schools to support educators in evaluating the quality of instructional materials available and making evidence-based selection decisions about the suitability of instructional materials under consideration. The tool is organized into...