Learn more about the review tools used by EdReports’ educator reviewers to evaluate the quality of curriculum in English language arts (ELA), math, and science.
At EdReports, we’re dedicated to a review process designed and led by educators. Our review tools are documents used by our expert educator reviewers to evaluate the quality of instructional materials. To learn more about EdReports’ reviews and educator reviewers, see Our Process.
On this page you will find:
EdReports is committed to continuous learning and innovation to meet the evolving needs of the education community. We examine our review tools and review process on an ongoing basis, updating them as needed across different versions (e.g., v1.0, v2.0) to ensure our reports provide maximum value to the field.
Each “version” of EdReports review tools is similar to the idea of a generation of software or technology products: that is, building on the strong foundation of previous iterations with new innovations and improvements.
Each set of EdReports review tools covers a content area (e.g., science) and grade band (e.g., K–5), and comprises two documents:
Access all versions of our review tools for each review focus area below.
Access our curriculum review tools for evaluating ELA K–12 core comprehensive instructional materials and ELA K–2 foundational skills supplements.
Learn MoreAccess our curriculum review tools for evaluating math K–12 core comprehensive instructional materials and learn more about how our tools have evolved.
Learn MoreAccess our curriculum review tools for evaluating multilingual learner (MLL) supports in K–12 ELA, math, and science, instructional materials.
Learn MoreAccess our curriculum review tools for evaluating Pre-K instructional materials and learn more about how our tools have evolved.
Learn MoreAccess our curriculum review tools for evaluating science K–12 core comprehensive instructional materials and learn more about how our tools have evolved.
Learn MoreAt EdReports, we’re always learning and striving to understand the evolving needs of the education field. Through this continuous exploration, we identify areas where high-quality reviews can make a difference. Sometimes, this results in new review areas for us to assess, the creation of review tools without full reviews, or insights revealing that an area is not yet ready to produce reliable national data for curriculum selection.
Regardless, we are committed to sharing our findings transparently and providing valuable resources to support states and districts in their pursuit of high-quality instructional material. Below are review tools that offer meaningful insights adaptable to local needs.
EdReports developed review tools for evaluating ELA and math interim assessments covering grades 3–8 between 2016 and 2023. While we were unable to review products due to lack of publisher participation, we believe there is value in providing the rigorously developed tools to the field to support local decision-making.
To learn more, see this article.
Every review tool is split into two or three stages, called “gateways.” A program must meet certain requirements in the first gateway in order to be reviewed in the next gateway. The same is true for any subsequent gateways.
If a program did not proceed to a certain gateway, it’s labeled as “not eligible” (NE) for that gateway. The requirements to pass from one gateway to another vary across contexts, but:
This section covers frequently asked general questions about EdReports’ review tools. See also:
Each set of EdReports review tools covers a content area (e.g., science) and grade band (e.g., K–5), and comprises two documents:
By “tool revisions,” EdReports means revising or updating its review tools, as well as making any related updates to its review process and report formats necessitated by the tool revisions.
EdReports is dedicated to continuous improvement, striving to ensure that our review tools and processes stay relevant, rigorous, and aligned with advances in curriculum, technology, and research on effective learning methods. By regularly refining our tools, we aim to help key stakeholders—decision-makers, students, and publishers—in the following ways:
EdReports is dedicated to continuous learning and growth, addressing the needs of students, teachers, districts, and states, and incorporating feedback from our users and the field. We don’t follow a fixed schedule for updating our review tools because the field evolves rapidly; the needs of, and input from, the field primarily determine the timing.
We strive to balance responsiveness to new research findings and emerging trends, such as digital innovations and the use of AI, with near-term stability. This is to ensure our review tools and reports provide reliable guidance for publishers’ design work and allow states to signal quality to districts with confidence.
Tool revisions do not affect existing, published reports. EdReports does not update completed reports retroactively when we revise our review tools. We’re always willing to consider re-reviewing materials if they have been substantively updated, but that decision is prompted by changes to the materials, not to our review tools.
Each report reflects a specific point in time, using the most current versions of both the materials and our review tools. We believe every report we’ve published offers valuable evidence and insights for school systems as they explore potential materials.
Earlier reports are those created with our earlier review tools (v1.0 and v1.5). For more information, see How to Use EdReports’ Earlier Reports and Review Tools.
Reports created with our earlier versions (v1.0 and v1.5) contain valuable insights, but may not fully capture the most recent educational priorities and research. Users should:
For more information, see How to Use EdReports’ Earlier Reports and Review Tools.