EDUCATORS

What you need to know

Instructional materials in both print and electronic formats are the primary way in which California’s students access the State Content Standards and the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Standards aligned instructional materials are a critically important component of the state’s education system. The four key elements of that system are:

  • World-class curriculum standards.
  • Instructional materials.
  • Professional development for teachers to teach the standards.
  • An assessment system that measures student progress toward achieving the standards.

Instructional materials in “core” subject areas – reading/language arts, science, mathematics, and social studies – serve as the foundation for learning. They are complemented by student support materials (also called supplemental materials). Student support materials provide important resources for various types of learners such as children with special needs, English language learners, gifted learners, and students who need extra help in a specific subject.

Today’s instructional materials come in a variety of formats: books; CD-ROMs; websites; online support for both teacher and students; and many professional development resources for teachers. In other words, today’s “textbooks” are more than just printed editions. They are comprehensive instructional programs.

In California, instructional materials are “adopted” by the State Board of Education for use in K-8 classrooms. The adoption process provides for the continuous review and purchase of new instructional materials in different curricular areas. Educators are encouraged to learn more about the adoption process by visiting the Instructional Materials section on this Web site.