Credit: Courtesy Partnership for LA Schools
In early November, the California Department of Education released its list of approved curricula for K-12 math, giving school districts a choice that will shape student outcomes for decades to come.
In the context of shrinking budgets and growing pressures to do more with less, it can be tempting to view curriculum adoption as just another box item on a long to-do list. However, the difference between a textbook that teaches rote memorization and a high-quality, problem-based curriculum that balances procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and mathematical reasoning is enormous — and it has a huge impact on student learning.
At the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a nonprofit that works to empower students and support educators and school leaders in high-need Los Angeles schools, we’ve helped adopt and implement Illustrative Math, one of a few high-quality math curricula, across dozens of L.A. public schools. We believe that the adoption of this new curriculum has contributed to the district recently posting big gains in math, now surpassing pre-pandemic test scores.
As implementation science geeks, we study what makes curriculum adoption succeed or stumble. By avoiding the most common pitfalls, any district can align its curriculum with its instructional vision and make the most of its new materials.
Mistake No. 1: Viewing curriculum adoption as a check-the-box exercise. Many districts approach curriculum like liability insurance or hand soap — things they’re required to have but that are unrelated to instructional goals.
As a percentage of school budgets, purchasing quality instruction materials represents one of the largest and most impactful investments districts can make. Curriculum is not just a textbook. It serves as a road map for what students should learn each year and encompasses instructional materials, online resources and even assessments. So picking the right one really matters.
Leaders will have more success if they shift their mindsets from “we have to buy this software” to “we get to invest in this effective practice.” Embrace curriculum adoption as a strategy for developing instructional alignment. Choose instructional materials that align with your vision for student learning and the needs of your specific students and teachers, and take advantage of the opportunity to test drive the curriculum during a pilot phase.
Mistake No. 2: Getting distracted by flashy marketing. Everything great was once new, but not everything new is great.
Too often, the company with the slickest marketing or the shiniest tech innovations wins the sale. Districts that fall prey to shiny-object syndrome may end up with materials that don’t actually serve their teachers or students well.
Materials that meet the standard of “high-quality” are vetted to ensure coherence, usability and accessibility for all learners. Stay laser-focused on what you want to see in classrooms and what materials will make that possible for your educators and your learners, and — this part is key — choose a curriculum that fits in your budget with money left over for sustained professional learning.
Mistake No. 3: Waiting until the books arrive to start implementation. Many districts mistake adoption and implementation for separate processes, where adoption comes first and then implementation happens. While that’s a reasonable assumption to make, it can become a problem when it’s time to unbox the curriculum in classrooms. Without early buy-in from instructional coaches, teachers and principals, even the best curriculum will sit in the corner gathering dust.
A better approach is to think of curriculum adoption as step one of implementation and to consult teachers early on in the decision-making process. Choose a curriculum with teachers and principals, not for them, then train teacher leaders and instructional coaches to guide peers and create trusted support systems. The impact of the materials is highly dependent on effective implementation.
Mistake No. 4: Underestimating the challenge — and oversimplifying the work. Resist the urge to underestimate and oversimplify. As Einstein said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”
Curriculum implementation doesn’t have to be complicated, but it is hard work — and it takes time. Align curriculum with student assessments and educator supports, and monitor progress for each of the adult behaviors you are seeking to change. It takes putting all the pieces in the right places for the vision to come together. With thoughtful planning, districts can better ensure that educators feel supported and students benefit from a more positive school experience that integrates high-quality instructional materials.
The choice isn’t just what books and materials to buy, it’s what kind of classrooms we want to build for our students in California.
•••
Francisco Villegas is the chief academic officer for the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a nonprofit working to empower all students with a high-quality education.
The opinions expressed in this commentary represent those of the author. EdSource welcomes commentaries representing diverse points of view. If you would like to submit a commentary, please review our guidelines and contact us.