In U.S. schools, teachers bear a great deal of responsibility for determining what and how their students learn. They often spend a great deal of effort researching and developing their own materials. In addition, many teachers supplement district-mandated materials with content sourced from the internet. This combination inevitably leads to variations in the quality and consistency of instruction. This approach also requires a significant amount of time. On average, teachers spend seven hours each week researching teaching materials and five hours creating them..
Recognizing these challenges, many states and school districts in the U.S. are increasingly prioritizing the implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) to support teachers and improve student outcomes. This change is part of a broader effort to align with practices seen in top-performing countries, such as Finland, South Korea, and Canada, that have adopted rigorous, content-rich curricula at the national and state levels that contribute to strong student achievement.
HQIM may sound like a vague term, or even a marketing buzzword, but it is surprisingly well-defined. Ed ReportAccording to , a leading curriculum evaluator, HQIMs share several key characteristics, including standards alignment, evidence-based approaches to education, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and comprehensive teacher support that includes both initial training and continuing professional development.
A vital role
US research reinforces the idea that students would benefit from greater access to HQIM. Research has shown that: Choice of ELA, mathematics, and science programs has a significant impact on assessment scores.In other studies, HQIM’s most dramatic impact occurs when it is placed in the hands of inexperienced teachers.Many school districts across the U.S. have successfully implemented HQIM and reported improved student achievement. Louisiana and Tennessee have made significant progress in implementing HQIM, providing nearly all students with access to high-quality curriculum in math and English.
Recognizing the importance of curriculum to student success, demand for HQIMs has increased, with states and school districts making these tools a priority. Imagine learning Developed a core curriculum portfolio. Imagine learning EL education, Imagine an I.M., Twig Science and traverseare intended to demonstrate the principles of HQIM. These programs focus on enhancing teacher and student experiences through inquiry-based learning, hands-on activities, digital investigations, and connections to the real world.
Fundamental principles
Through collaboration with various states and districts, and rigorous evaluation by independent evaluators, Imagine Learning developed an approach to HQIM based on six core principles.
- Standards Alignment: A carefully designed curriculum aligned with state and national standards
- Best Practices Teaching: Research-backed teaching methods and strategies to increase student engagement and understanding
- Equity and inclusion: Diverse perspectives and resources to meet the needs of all learners
- Teacher and student experience: Intuitive and easy-to-implement curriculum promotes a rich learning experience
- Measuring Student Learning: Comprehensive tools to track growth and customize instruction to individual needs
- Professional Learning: Ongoing support and training opportunities to develop teacher skills and practice
Indeed, saving teachers time is one of HQIM’s big draws. One social studies teacher had this to say about Traverse: “Traverse is so valuable because of the curated sources, most of which are really high quality and already narrowed down. I think this is really important not only for engaging students, but also for saving teachers’ time, which takes a huge amount of time for teachers to find sources.”
Professional Learning
The final principle, professional learning, is crucial. Providing high-quality resources is not enough; teachers also need support to use them effectively. To maximize the impact of HQIM, it is essential to combine these materials with in-program teacher support, implementation guidance, and ongoing professional learning. Schools benefit from comprehensive professional learning offerings that build on the pedagogical principles of the core product and incorporate authentic demonstrations, meaningful collaboration, and structured planning. For example, after implementing Imagine IM in one Colorado school, the principal noted: “We had our first training in the first year. [with Imagine Learning]”And our teachers wanted more and more. And every time we gave them a little bit more, they continued to grow and add to what they had received in their previous professional development.”
Equally important is how HQIM helps create equitable and inclusive learning environments where all students have access to rigorous, standards-aligned content. This consistency is critical in mitigating the “education lottery” where student success is often contingent on the learning environment. High-quality, standardized, yet differentiated content ensures that all students receive grade-appropriate challenge and high expectations, stimulating academic progress and narrowing achievement gaps. Diverse perspectives within the curriculum can also promote inclusion, enrich classroom discussions, and broaden understanding of different cultures and perspectives. After implementing Imagine Learning EL Education in her school, one school counselor reported, “Students feel like, ‘That person looks like me, that person acts like me, so I can learn from this.’ This is great for students. Students feel accepted and part of the story, which inspires their love of reading and storytelling and their desire to learn more.”
Strengthening the role of teachers
The purpose of HQIM is to enhance, not diminish, the role of teachers. Research shows that while teacher quality is important to student achievement, instructional material choice is equally impactful. Adopting HQIM is a cost-effective strategy to improve educational outcomes compared to other reforms, such as reducing class size. HQIM provides a powerful framework to help teachers deliver effective and engaging lessons. These materials free teachers from having to develop content from scratch, allowing them to focus on pedagogy and individualized student support. By ensuring that all students receive consistent, high-quality content, HQIM empowers teachers to be the most effective. As states and districts continue to adopt high-quality instructional materials, we expect to see more students reach their full potential and more teachers achieve outstanding results.