Why Curriculum Matters

Curricular materials can make a real difference. Read more about the research and the case for High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM).

What Is Curriculum?

• Curricular materials are resources teachers use to facilitate sequences of learning experiences (e.g., lesson and unit plans, texts); also called adopted or written curriculum, or instructional materials.
• A curriculum is a sequence of student learning experiences teachers facilitate using curricular materials as a foundation (not a script!); also called enacted or taught curriculum.

Why Does Curriculum Matter?

Curricular materials can make a real difference. Providing teachers with access to higher-quality, better-aligned curricular materials can prompt improvement in student outcomes:

• Comparable to over half a year of additional learning (Kane et al., 2016)
• About 1.5 times the difference between an average teacher and one at the 75th percentile (Chingos & Whitehurst, 2012)
• Greater than the difference between a new teacher and one with three years of experience (Kane, 2016)

Curricular materials can also be a powerful way to narrow opportunity gaps and accelerate student learning at scale.

Last Updated: January 12, 2022