High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists

High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) conducted numerous committees to engage in an evaluation process to review and recommend vendor-submitted curriculum materials to comprise IDOE’s high-quality curricular materials advisory lists. These advisory lists, aligned with the future-focused 2023 Indiana Academic Standards, Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS) competencies, or College Board learning objectives, aim to support schools in the implementation of literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading and curricula for use with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. IDOE conducted the same process to identify integrated curricular materials supporting each domain of the 2023 Indiana Early Learning Standards.

• High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory List: K-12 STEM - Memo
• High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists Memo

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-20-5.5-2, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, IDOE “shall evaluate, approve, and publish a list of high-quality curricular materials for use in the following subjects: (1) Science, (2) Technology, (3) Engineering, (4) Math.”

Science of Reading

To develop the K-5 Reading High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists required by state law, IDOE solicited responses from curriculum vendors and worked with educators and parents to review each vendor’s core curriculum.

Supplemental curriculum, including specific trade books were not submitted for review and are not endorsed through IDOE’s the K-5 Reading High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists. Any purchase of supplemental curriculum purchase is a local decision.

Any curricular materials, including the purchase of supplemental books, should be vetted at the local level to ensure age appropriateness and alignment with other applicable state laws and community standards.

Early Learning 

Additionally, advisory lists are provided for early learning in the developmental domains of infant/toddler, preschool, and mixed-age groups. Local educational agencies (LEAs) and early learning facilities can choose their own instructional materials. Indiana aims to support local decision-makers by providing the results of ongoing reviews that help identify high-quality curricular materials from participating vendors.

Review Process 

Vendors submitted curriculum materials to be reviewed by stakeholder committees consisting of educators, content specialists, accessibility representatives, and more. Committees evaluated submissions to confirm alignment to the 2023 Indiana Academic Standards, Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS) competencies, or College Board learning objectives with criteria addressing instruction, assessment, and professional development considerations.

Advisory List 

Vendors and their associated curricular materials that appear on the advisory lists and satisfied all required criteria are outlined in the following evaluation rubrics:

• Early Learning Integrated Curriculum (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and Mixed Age Groups)
• K-5 Reading (Aligned with the 2023 Indiana Academic Standards and Science of Reading)
• K-8 Science/Engineering
• 9-12 Science
• K-12 Mathematics
• K-8 Computer Science
• 9-12 Computer Science and Engineering

Cost sheets for approved vendors include all components evaluated on the rubric. LEAs and early learning facilities have the autonomy to select components that meet the needs of their educators and students. Vendors with approved materials will be valid for six years (pending any updates to Indiana Academic Standards, Indiana Early Learning Standards, NLPS competencies, College Board learning objectives, legislation, or rule). Vendors must confirm annually any specific changes to materials and related pricing. State reviews of new vendor submissions will take place annually.

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists Evaluation Process

High-quality curricular materials are a key component to effective and engaging learning experiences for students. Following the evaluation process outlined below, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will publish advisory lists for these materials to inform local adoption, instructional practices, and professional development.

Content providers of proprietary and open educational resources (OER) aligned to Indiana Academic Standards and Indiana Early Learning Standards are invited to apply to be considered for inclusion on these advisory lists. Curricular materials for the following subject areas are accepted for review:

• Early Learning Comprehensive Curriculum (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and Mixed Age Groups)
• K-12 STEM (Science, Technology (Computer Science), Engineering, and Mathematics)
• K-5 Core Reading
• 6-8 Core Reading

The following steps outline the vendor submission process using the evaluation tools. The process is as follows:

1. Submit the Letter of Intent by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 12.
2. Procure an independent review by a credible third-party research entity of curricular materials that will be submitted.
3. IDOE will share the official application in August to vendors following completion of the Letter of Intent. Vendors will use the Vendor Guide and evaluation rubrics to complete the application by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, October 11.
4. IDOE and high-quality curricular materials review committees will review the vendor application and associated curriculum.
5. Vendors will have one opportunity to provide any missing/supplemental information to ensure all criteria is met. They will be notified on Monday, December 16, of their review status.
6. The deadline to resubmit additional application materials is Monday, January 13.
7. IDOE and high-quality curricular materials review committees will review any new application materials.
8. IDOE will publish the final advisory lists on Monday, January 27.

Review the Vendor Submission Guide for additional information and specific guidelines for submission and approval. The first requirement for prospective vendor applicants is to submit the Letter of Intent by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 12.  Questions regarding the process should be submitted through the Letter of Intent.

• Vendor Submission Guide
• Vendor Letter of Intent Submission Form
• Cost Sheet
• Sample Complete Evaluation Tool

Supplemental curriculum provides additional evidence-based literacy instruction and practice on a specific skill (i.e., phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing) aligned to science of reading. This is used to enhance core curriculum during whole-class or small-group instruction. School review teams may use this rubric to review supplemental materials. Selection of supplemental materials are historically local decisions and should be vetted at the local level to assure consistency with the advisory list and alignment with state law.

• K-5 Reading Supplemental
• 6-8 Reading Supplemental

Supplemental curriculum provides additional evidence-based instruction and practice on a specific skill (i.e., literacy, mathematics, student wellbeing, science, handwriting, and family engagement). This is used to enhance core curriculum during whole-class or small-group instruction. School review teams may use this rubric to review supplemental materials.

• Early Learning Supplemental

To develop the K-5 Reading High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists required by state law, IDOE solicits responses from curriculum vendors and works with educators and parents to review each vendor’s core curriculum.

Supplemental curriculum, including specific trade books were not submitted for review and are not endorsed through IDOE’s K-5 Reading High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists. Any purchase of supplemental curriculum purchase is a local decision that needs to comply with all Indiana state laws.

Any curricular materials, including the purchase of supplemental books, should be vetted at the local level to ensure age appropriateness and alignment with all  applicable state laws and community standards.

Contact IDOE with any questions.