Key Initiative
One-Pager

CURRICULUM

Curriculum is different from academic standards in that standards define what students are expected to learn in a particular subject and grade, and a curriculum defines how teachers will teach to ensure students learn the standards. Those closest to students are best positioned to decide which curriculum is appropriate, therefore all decisions related to curricula are local decisions.

Selecting and implementing a high-quality curriculum in the classroom has the biggest impact on the quality of student learning. To do so requires the curriculum to be connected to the standards-aligned assessments students take and the training teachers receive. When these three pieces--curriculum, assessments, and professional development--work together, students are more likely to reach the expectations of the academic standards. 

The Department assists local school systems in selecting high-quality curriculum and aligning that curriculum with assessments and professional development by: 

• Reviewing curriculum for quality and supporting districts in accessing the best materials:
  • Instructional Materials Review process
    

• Providing ongoing training and instructional resources around high-quality curricula:
  • Professional Development Vendor Guide
  • Instructional Resources by Grade
  • Instructional Resource by Content

• Building high-quality tools to fill in the gaps where needed:
  • ELA Guidebooks

Please contact classroomsupporttoolbox@la.gov with questions.