Curriculum (beta)

Rhode Island is committed to ensuring all students have access to consistent and high-quality curriculum materials (HQCM). High-quality curriculum materials are aligned to rigorous college- and career-ready standards. Since 2017, Rhode Island continues to partner with EdReports, a nationally recognized, independent non-profit organization, who provides expert reviews of instructional materials. EdReports provides free published reviews of K-12 instructional materials in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science based on alignment to standards and usability.

RIDE’s lists of approved high-quality curricula are only a starting point in the process. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) cannot simply pick a curriculum from RIDE’s list and consider the process ‘complete.’ There are significant considerations that must be in place for this work to be sustainable and successful, including an in-depth review of the curriculum materials, and a plan for curriculum-specific professional learning aligned to the LEA’s priorities. 

1. Selection

   LEAs should create local teams of leaders and educators to go through a comprehensive selection and adoption process that begins with looking at student data and developing an instructional vision. A team approach to this work will allow a variety of stakeholder voices to be heard. 

   Using all of the information at a team’s disposal, LEAs should make curriculum adoption-related decisions based on their instructional vision for the students in their community.

   Resources for Selection

   • Selecting and Implementing a High-Quality Curriculum in RI: A Guidance Document (updated January 2025)
   • Infographic: Curriculum Matters for Our Kids
   • Additional Review Tools to Support the Selection of a High-Quality Curriculum in RI: A Guidance Document
   • High-Quality Curriculum Selection & Implementation: Understanding Culturally Responsive & Sustaining Education (CRSE) in ELA
   • Hiqh-Quality Curriculum Selection & Implementation: Understanding Culturally Responsive & Sustaining Education (CRSE) in Math
   • Multilingual Learner (MLL) Non-Negotiables for Math Curriculum Selection
   • Multilingual Learner (MLL) Non-Negotiables for ELA Curriculum Selection
   • K-2 Curriculum Materials Review: Foundational Skills for Reading
   • 2024 Rhode Island Early Learning Curriculum Review and Endorsement Guidance Document

    

2. Adoption

   Professional learning is the cornerstone of high-quality instruction. RIDE's HQPL Guidebook offers actionable guidance to help you reflect on, assess, plan, and implement professional learning initiatives that meet the diverse needs of your educators and students.

   Resources to Support Planning the Adoption of HQCM

   • RIDE's High Quality Professional Learning Guidebook (2024)
   • Selecting for Quality: EdReports' Guide for Adopting High-Quality Instructional Materials
   • 4 Steps to Ensure High-Quality Curriculum Leads to Impact (EdReports)

3. Implementation & Ongoing Support

   Successful implementation includes thoughtful planning around financing, scheduling, staffing, professional learning, instructional support, and other operational considerations to support teachers and students through the change process. These planning processes help to bridge a productive transition from selection to implementation.

   Resources to support Implementation

   • Instruction Partners' Curriculum Support Guide
   • Implementing High Quality Curriculum with College Board's Pre-AP Program