Open book with abstract shapes, arrows, and icons like a brain, rocket, and lightbulb emerging from its pages, symbolizing ideas and creativity.

Hi, educator. Here’s your Step-by-Step Guide to a Quality Curriculum Adoption.

Two people sit at a table; one types on a laptop while the other reviews a spiral-bound document. Both are smiling. Office setting with posters on walls visible in the background.

Welcome to the Step-by-Step Guide.

We talked to leaders like you and created this guide to help with the complex process of adopting a high-quality curriculum. You can explore our recommended steps and use the downloadable articles and templates to help with your decision-making process.

You can also download the entire short guide here: Word Doc | PDF

Flowchart with six numbered steps: 1) Plan your process. 2) Define the problem. 3) Build requirements. 4) Explore solutions. 5) Socialize the decision. 6) Prepare for implementation.

1. Plan your process.

Each step of the process, from assembling a team to preparing materials and socializing the decision, needs to be planned based on your district’s unique needs. 

Start with the following case studies if you’d like to see examples from small and mid-sized districts. The worksheets that come next should help you plan the steps in your process and schedule, and the articles provide some ideas for how to assemble your committee.

Links

Case studies:

Worksheets:

Articles:

  • Five things to consider as you assemble your team  Word Doc | PDF
  • Shaping the future: Participating on an adoption committee  Word Doc | PDF

2. Define the problem.

Defining the problem shapes your list of requirements and ensures that all involved parties are focused on selecting the right high-quality curriculum.

Links

Worksheet:

3. Build requirements.

Requirements help you prioritize what is most important to your school district and to evaluate why a high-quality curriculum adoption would be the best fit. 

Links 

Worksheet:

4. Explore programs.

Start with your critical focus areas from step 2 (defining the problem) and select a short list of programs to explore. Next, conduct a thorough review of those programs. If you’re a school or district that pilots, a pilot would happen during this step.

Links 

Worksheet:

Articles:

  • Getting ready for the review  Word Doc | PDF
  • Important questions to ask publishers upfront  Word Doc | PDF

5. Socialize and evangelize the decision.

You’ve done it! But your work isn’t over. Now you need to create clear, exciting messaging about the high-quality curriculum you’ve chosen and why it’s a good match for your teachers and students. 

Links

Article:

  • Designing your announcement campaign  Word Doc | PDF

Template:

6. Prepare for implementation.

A lot of things happen between signing a purchase order and the first day of professional learning. You’ll want to be organized as you coordinate people, places, and things to get ready for back to school. 

Links

Worksheet:

  • Thinking ahead: Preparing for implementation worksheet  Word Doc | PDF

Download the guide.

Download the entire guide here: Word Doc | PDF