Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Logo
Center for Instructional Support

Curriculum Data Collection

Curriculum Matters

Expanding access to high-quality, standards-aligned curricular materials can significantly improve student learning and outcomes, especially when teachers have the professional knowledge they need to make the most of those curricular materials. In short, curriculum matters.

Curriculum Data Collection Purpose

The curriculum data collection supports partnerships across local education agencies (LEAs) that want to know which curricula other LEAs are using because it would allow them to:

  • Network with others to learn about their high-quality instructional materials' evaluation, selection, and implementation process
  • Learn from those further along in implementing high-quality instructional materials
  • Collaborate with others implementing the same high-quality instructional materials as they are

Curriculum Data Collection Process

DESE collects data on the core curricula districts are using for K–12 ELA/literacy, mathematics, and science materials, in addition to foundational skills resources in grades K–5. By spring of 2025, districts will also be able to report curriculum used in History and Social Science, and Digital Literacy and Computer Science. Collected information includes the product name and publisher or, if applicable, whether the district developed the materials in use. Collected information also includes the grades in which the materials are used and whether teachers are required to use them. LEAs may also report materials they are piloting and other supplemental materials, but this is not required.

Prior to reporting, superintendents should designate who in their district will enter this information in the Security Portal. The designee should know the curricular materials the LEA is using. The designee will be assigned the role of Curriculum Data Collection User. LEAs are expected to submit their curriculum data by October of each new school year, as included in the Superintendent's Checklist.

Curriculum Data Report

  • DESE generates a report from the curriculum data collected. The report lists the curricular materials LEAs have reported being used for core instruction in grades K–5 foundational skills and K–12 ELA/Literacy, mathematics, and science & technology/engineering.
  • By 2025, LEAs will be able to access the curriculum data dashboard, which will provide a user-friendly way to explore the data, including supplemental materials and all subject areas.

Defining Core Materials

The curriculum data collection is currently focusing on core curricula used for the majority of instruction across all classrooms in a school, district, charter, or collaborative. Core curricular materials are comprehensive print or digital materials that are designed to cover all the knowledge, skills, and practices outlined in the college- and career-ready standards for the content area. They are intended for use as the standalone primary instructional materials through which all students access grade-level content standards during a year or semester of study, to support coherent sequence and progression of grade-appropriate knowledge, skills, and practices.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, email Craig Waterman .

Last Updated: August 29, 2024

 
Contact Us

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

Voice: (781) 338-3000
TTY: (800) 439-2370

Directions

Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.