Curriculum is more than choosing materials. How do district leaders and educators investigate and select high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) that are a strong fit for their local context while building the capacity and conditions needed for successful implementation?
The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) welcomes districts, charters, and collaboratives from across the Commonwealth to participate in the SY 2026–27 IMplement MA: Evaluate & Select High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Network, which combines differentiated virtual learning with personalized support to guide district leadership teams through a robust, inclusive, and evidence-informed curriculum investigation and selection process. Anchored in DESE’s IMplement MA Guide and centered on building curriculum literacy, the Network supports teams to establish a shared content-specific instructional vision, engage diverse stakeholder groups, investigate the quality and local fit of comprehensive core curricular materials, and select high-quality instructional materials (HQIM)—while laying the foundation for equitable, effective, and sustainable implementation.
Facilitated by DESE staff and supported by DESE-developed tools and resources, participants focus on the first two phases of the IMplement MA curriculum lifecycle.
- Phase I: Learn & Prepare. Establish a shared content-specfic instructional vision, engage stakeholders, and build the leadership capacity, structures, and conditions needed to conduct an evidence-informed curriculum investigation and make informed decisions.
- Phase II: Investigate & Select. Conduct a collaborative, evidence-informed investigation of high-potential materials to determine their quality and fit, and select HQIM while building curriculum literacy, shared ownership, and readiness for implementation.
The registration form should be completed by the team leader (administrator/decision-maker) of the district's evaluation and selection committee. Districts can register for up to two teams to participate if they are interested in evaluating ELA/literacy, math, and/or science materials over the course of the 2026–27 school year.
- District teams attending the Network meetings should consist of 2–3 people, one of whom should be a lead administrator/decision-maker. Network team members can include assistant superintendents, directors, coordinators, coaches, vice/principals.
- Districts can apply for up to two content teams to participate, though one is strongly recommended.
- Please complete this registration form for each content team you intend to evaluate and select HQIM this school year.
Who should attend
- Team leader and 1–2 additional district or school leaders/educators who make up the district leadership team.
Participant Commitment
- An identified curriculum need and goal. The district is preparing for or actively engaged in investigation and selection of comprensive core curricular materials in a content area supported by the Network and has identified a realistic Phase 1 or Phase 2 goal for the year.
- District Leadership commitment. District leadership supports participation in the Network and the time, decision-making structures, and resources necessary for the team to advance the work locally.
- An identified Team Leader and core leadership team. A designated Team Leader and 1–2 additional district or school-based educators/leaders are available to participate consistently in Network sessions, coordinate local work, and support progress between sessions.
- Capacity to establish or engage a representative Curriculum Council. Districts should have, or be prepared to establish, a Curriculum Council that brings together the perspectives and expertise needed for a robust and equitable curriculum investigation and selection process. The leadership team should have a viable way to engage relevant stakeholders in the investigation and decision-making process so that the work extends beyond the Network participants themselves.
- Protected time for the work. Teams have access to regular meeting or common planning time and sufficient staff coverage, as needed, to participate in Network sessions and complete district-owned work between sessions. This includes time for activities such as Materials Review, Field Testing, Publisher Inquiry, stakeholder engagement, and development of required artifacts.
- Commitment to evidence-informed and equity-centered decision-making. Districts are prepared to examine available evidence about curriculum quality alongside locally generated evidence about instructional vision, student assets and needs, priorities, context, and implementation readiness. The Evaluate & Select process is designed around deeper local investigation rather than reliance on a single statewide quality signal.
Network Schedule (meetings will be held virtually)
Meetings will be split up by the phases of the IMplement MA process (Phase 1: Learn and Prepare, Phase 2: Investigate and Select, Phase 3: Launch). Unless indicated otherwise, all Network sessions are scheduled on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise specified.
- Kick-off (for team leaders only). 09/16 from 3:00–4:00 p.m.
- Phase1 – Learn and Prepare: 10/7, 11/4, 12/2
- Phase 2 – Investigate and Select: 1/6, 2/3, 3/3
- Network Closing Session: 6/3
- Office Hours: District-determined, as scheduled via Bookings
Informational Sessions
To learn more about the IMplement MA process through the Evaluate and Select HQIM Network, register to attend one of the two informational sessions that will be held via Zoom:
Network Contacts
For questions, contact:
- ELA/Literacy: Octavia.Nixon@mass.gov
- Math: Jeffrey.Pera@mass.gov
- Science: Casandra.Gonzalez@mass.gov (note the one s in Casandra).
- General inquiries – Evaluate and Select Network: Nicole.Rodriguez-Rowe@mass.gov