3 Common Misconceptions About High Quality Instructional Materials

If you ask 10 educators for their opinion on what makes a high-quality curriculum, you’ll likely get 10 different answers. Why? For many teachers, curriculum is personal. It guides their instructional practice and outlines the key concepts their students will need to learn in a school year. 

So it’s not surprising to learn that more than half of U.S. teachers craft curriculum for their students. When it comes to instructional materials, teachers have simply not received the support they need. But 2022 is not 2002, and there are more high-quality programs available than ever before. 

As school districts rightfully invest federal pandemic stimulus dollars in high-quality materials, it’s equally important that they meaningfully include teachers in the selection and implementation process. Part of this work has to be understanding teachers’ misconceptions about high-quality materials and engaging in productive conversations about how materials can support their practice. Explore three of these misconceptions below, and dive into the data revealing the true benefits of high-quality instructional materials.