Reviewing Tools for Evaluating K-12 Instructional Materials Through an Implementation Lens

Abstract

This review examined how state-created tools for evaluating instructional materials support local schools and school districts to address implementation when adopting instructional materials. We followed a priori, systematic procedures to conduct a web search and visit each state’s department of education website in search of instructional materials evaluation tools. After identifying all of the state-created instructional materials evaluation tools in the areas of English/language arts and mathematics, we reviewed the tools and coded them for evidence of alignment with the six implementation indicators defined by the Hexagon Tool (Metz and Louison, The Hexagon Tool: exploring context. Based on Kiser, Zabel, Zachik, and Smith (2007) and Blase, Kiser and Van Dyke (2013). National Implementation Research Network, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, https://nirn.fpg.unc.edu/sites/nirn.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/NIRN%20Hexagon%20Discussion%20Analysis%20Tool_September2020_1.pdf , 2018). We found that 15 states provide state-created evaluation tools, and only 1 state provides a tool that thoroughly addresses issues of implementation as outlined in the Hexagon Tool. We conclude with a discussion of how state departments of education can support local education agencies in examining the contextual factors related to implementation and selecting instructional materials that are best suited for the unique context of their schools.