By Jaclyn A. Thomas
Only about 30% of K-12 teachers report using a “core curriculum” as their primary source of instructional material.
Rather, they rely instead on self-created materials and/or non-vetted supplemental sources of information. In fact, about half of teachers say they have to use platforms such as YouTube or Teachers Pay Teachers in order to address the large gaps in the primary instructional material provided by their schools.
The problem isn’t, of course, that the teachers are unable to create high-quality supplemental material. The problem is that they shouldn’t have to.
High-quality, research-based curricula seems to be a rarity in classrooms across the U.S., with many teachers, especially those in the sciences, reporting difficulties accessing standards-aligned materials.
This is a big problem. Let’s unpack the reasons why.
The Essentiality of Research-Based Curriculum
Research-based curriculum isn’t important just because it sounds important. It may be a buzz word, but it’s one that should not be glossed over or used flippantly.
There is a lot of data out there that demonstrates how having a research-based curriculum improves student outcomes, is better tailored to childhood and adolescent development, is more adaptable to diverse learning requirements, and ultimately reduces the workload of teachers.
For example, research shows that high-quality, well-aligned curricula can lead to profound improvements in student engagement, which is strongly correlated with academic success. Students active in their own learning path tend to score higher on standardized tests while also maintaining better overall academic performance.
Research-based curricula is also grounded in developmental science. The data demonstrates that children who receive instruction that is appropriate for their developmental stage show a significant increase in math and literacy skills.
The Risks of Not Using Research-Based Curriculum
The effects of not using a research-based curriculum can be seen in students and teachers alike.
In a school with limited access to research-based curricula, a student can fall several years behind academically when compared to peers in a school with stronger, research-based instructional materials. The falling behind is likely the result of inconsistent instruction which ultimately inhibits student progress.
But this is in part because teachers are struggling too. According to the National Education Association (NEA), about 55% of teachers are considering leaving the profession due to heightened stress and extreme burnout. Moreover, 90% of teachers report burnout as being a serious problem in the educational workspace.
By relieving teachers from the added burden of creating or finding supplemental materials for their classrooms, implementing a research-based curriculum could potentially take a much-needed weight off the shoulders of an already overworked group of dedicated teachers.
How to Implement Research-Based Curricula
Now that we see the importance of research-based curricula, it is important to understand the best ways to find and implement such curricula.
First, school leadership and administration should lead the charge in finding a well-researched curriculum for their school that is appropriate for their students and school ecology.
But not all research-based curricula are created equal. Some are better than others. Therefore, it’s crucial that the decision-makers are actively collaborating with educational researchers to properly identify curriculum that is based on relevant, current, high-quality research.
Understanding that research-based curriculum comes at a cost, it’s important to recognize the cost-benefit trade-off of such a decision. While investing in this type of curricula can seem daunting to school administrators, the long-term benefits to the students and teachers outweigh the financial investment.
Afterall, the success of your students and teachers will ultimately result in the success of your school.
