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Center for Instructional Support
CUrriculum RAtings by TEachers (CURATE)

Rubrics

CURATE rubrics translate the Department’s expectations for high-quality curricula into criteria that guide the review of comprehensive core instructional materials. These expectations are grounded in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks and Standards I and II of the Massachusetts Standards of Effective Teaching Practice, with attention to both standards alignment and the supports materials provide for rigorous, inclusive, grade-level instruction.

Each CURATE panel uses a content-specific rubric organized into two complementary domains: Standards Alignment and Classroom Application.

  • Standards Alignment examines the extent to which materials reflect the intent, rigor, and progression of the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.
  • Classroom Application examines how well materials support teachers in providing rigorous, accessible, grade-level learning for all students.
  • Cross-Cutting Massachusetts Priorities are embedded across both domains and address accessibility and Universal Design for Learning, culturally and linguistically sustaining practices, and integrated disciplinary literacy.

Together, the two domains and cross-cutting priorities provide a comprehensive picture of curriculum quality and the extent to which materials support high-quality Tier 1 instruction.

Current Rubrics

Rubric Updates

To support continuous improvement, CURATE rubrics are reviewed and updated based on feedback from educators and the experiences of CURATE review panels. These updates are intended to support effective rubric use and promote consistent, rigorous reviews and accurate reports.

To maintain consistency and coherence across curriculum reviews and reports over time, updates to indicator language are made only when necessary. Routine rubric updates focus primarily on front matter, "Notes & Tips," and "Further Reading." Updates to the CURATE rubrics used for reviews completed during each school year are summarized below.

Rubric Update Summaries

2026–27 (SY27)

  • Reordered the ELA/Literacy K–5 Foundational Skills criterion within the Standards Alignment domain from Criterion 3 to Criterion 1.
  • Added a glossary of key terms across all rubrics, expanding on the glossary previously included in the ELA/Literacy K–5 rubric.
  • Reformatted all rubrics to meet digital accessibility requirements.
  • Updated rubric front matter and reorganized content under new headings to improve scannability.

2025–26 (SY26)

  • ELA/Literacy K–5 — Standards Alignment: Updated examples and non-examples of evidence-based foundational skills practices; specified aspects of text quality that contribute to a text being "worthy of students’ attention; added guidance addressing the volume of in-class and independent reading; added clarifying notes on writing; clarified language and terminology, including the use of "leveled texts"; and expanded the glossary. Reordered Foundational Skills within the Standards Alignment domain from Criterion 2 to Criterion 3.
  • All rubrics — Classroom Application: Updated information and links in the "Purpose of Rubric" section; clarified review expectations for evidence of alignment to English language development standards (WIDA); changed terminology from multilingual learners back to English learners to accurately reflect the legally identified student population that is the focus of the review; introduced the Not Rated rating for Impact on Learning and specified the three elements to be addressed in the criterion narrative; and restructured "Notes & Tips" as prompts.

2024–25 (SY25)

  • Refined "Notes & Tips" to provide greater clarity about indicator language and changed terminology from English learners to multilingual learners.
  • Updated broken links and added or removed resources in "Further Reading."
  • Added the History & Social Science K–12 rubric to the CURATE rubric collection.

2023–24 (SY24)

  • Revised "Notes & Tips" to identify indicators beyond 3c/4d (ELA/Literacy K–5: 4c/5c) where reviewers may consider evidence of supports and resources for English learners.
  • Updated broken links and added or removed resources in "Further Reading."

2022–23 (SY23)

  • Expanded the definition of "building knowledge" in the ELA/Literacy rubrics’ "Notes & Tips" and added guidance informed by CURATE panel reviews.
  • Updated broken links and added or removed resources in "Further Reading."
  • Added the Digital Literacy & Computer Science K–12 rubric to the CURATE rubric collection.

2021–22 (SY22)

Substantive updates were made, particularly to the ELA/Literacy rubrics.

  • Separated the ELA/Literacy K–12 rubric into K–5 and 6–12 rubrics, enabling all components of foundational skills to be evaluated at the criterion level in Grades K–5.
  • Introduced the Not Applicable rating for the Foundational Skills criterion in ELA/Literacy K–5.
  • Expanded the definition of "building knowledge" in the ELA/Literacy rubrics’ "Notes & Tips" and added guidance informed by CURATE panel reviews.

Across All Rubrics:

  • Revised Indicator 3d language (4d for ELA/Literacy K–5) to include the words affirm and identities.
  • Integrated notes on inclusive and culturally responsive practices more fully throughout "Notes & Tips" across the Standards Alignment and Classroom Application domains.
  • Adjusted guidance in "Notes & Tips" to clarify indicator language.
  • Updated broken links and added or removed resources in "Further Reading."
  • Added "Rubric Purpose" as an introduction to the rubric.

2019–20 (SY20)

  • Annotated and redesigned the rubric to support CURATE panels’ effective use and understanding of rubric language and Massachusetts expectations, adding "Notes & Tips" and "Further Reading."
  • Added rubric framing components, including "Guidelines for Review," "Sources of Evidence," "Definition of Ratings," and "Rubric Structure."
  • Added the CURATE logo.

Contact Us

For questions about CURATE, email DESE-CURATE@mass.gov

Last Updated: September 10, 2026

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