In the realm of U.S. education, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the learning experience for students. They invest a significant amount of time creating and researching instructional materials to enhance the quality of education. This leads to a varied educational landscape with inconsistencies in content and quality. Research shows that teachers spend an average of seven hours per week searching for and five hours creating materials, highlighting the effort put into crafting lesson plans.
To address these challenges, many states and school districts across the United States are now focusing on the adoption of high-quality instructional materials (HQIMs) to support teachers and improve student learning outcomes. Drawing inspiration from successful education systems in countries like Finland, South Korea, and Canada, these initiatives aim to align with rigorous, content-rich curricula at the national or provincial level to boost student performance.
The concept of HQIMs may sound vague, but it is well-defined and characterized by standards alignment, evidence-based pedagogical approaches, equity and inclusion commitments, and comprehensive teacher support. The goal of HQIMs is not to replace teachers but to enhance their role by providing them with the necessary tools to deliver effective lessons.
Research indicates that the choice of ELA, math, and science programs significantly impacts student assessment scores, especially for less experienced teachers. States like Louisiana and Tennessee have seen improved student performance after implementing HQIMs in math and ELA curricula.
Recognizing the demand for high-quality instructional materials, companies like Imagine Learning have developed core curricula like EL Education, IM, Twig Science, and Traverse, which embody the principles of HQIMs. These programs prioritize inquiry-based learning, hands-on activities, digital investigations, and real-world connections to enhance the teacher and student experience.
Through collaboration with states and districts and rigorous evaluation, Imagine Learning has identified six guiding principles for HQIMs, including standards alignment, best-practice pedagogy, equity and inclusion, teacher and student experience, measuring student learning, and professional learning. These principles aim to provide teachers with the necessary support to implement HQIMs effectively and create equitable learning environments for all students.
HQIMs not only save teachers time but also empower them to focus on pedagogy and personalized student support. By ensuring all students have access to consistent, high-quality content, HQIMs enable teachers to maximize their impact in the classroom. As more states and districts embrace HQIMs, we can expect to see more students reaching their full potential and more teachers empowered to excel in their roles.
