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In Washington state, learning standards outline what every student should know and be able to do at each grade level. These standards are developed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and periodically reviewed as outlined in state law (RCW 28A.655.070). While the state sets the standards, local school boards are responsible for choosing the instructional materials that best fit their students’ needs.

That’s where curriculum adoption comes in.

Curriculum adoption goes beyond selecting new textbooks or programs. It’s about identifying instructional materials that align with district goals, support student learning, and fit within local board policies and procedures.

School districts typically review and update core instructional materials every 8 to 12 years across subjects like math, English language arts, and science. Each district has board policies and procedures guiding this process.

Curriculum adoption is an intensive process. Some districts form large adoption committees with parent and student input, while others rely on small staff-led teams. It can feel overwhelming, especially for smaller districts with limited staff capacity, but a thoughtful adoption process helps ensure that students have access to high-quality, standards-aligned materials that support meaningful learning in the classroom.

That’s why the NCESD Teaching and Learning team partners with schools to provide guidance and support from start to finish. When supporting districts, the NCESD Teaching and Learning team recommends a multi-year approach:

• Year 1: Focus on district priorities and develop a shared understanding of student needs. NCESD helps districts create non-negotiable criteria for instructional materials using tools like EdReports and supports piloting new curriculum with students. 
• Year 2: Select and implement new curriculum. NCESD works side-by-side with districts as they purchase new materials and begin using them in classrooms. 
• Years 3–5: Continued support to ensure long-term success. This includes helping embed new instructional practices, integrating educational technology, and aligning professional development.

The process is always tailored to each district’s needs. The NCESD Teaching and Learning team’s role is to plug in where needed—whether that’s facilitating adoption committees, modeling lessons, or supporting teachers with classroom coaching. 

NCESD’s Teaching and Learning team emphasizes the curriculum adoption process’s connection to broader teaching and learning goals. Good teaching happens when instructional materials, teaching practices, and learning standards all work together, not just when there’s a new curriculum in place.

That’s why NCESD’s support doesn’t end once a district picks a new program. The team stays involved to help teachers implement materials in ways that meet students where they are, reflect best practices like Universal Design for Learning, and foster student engagement and success.

In Quincy School District, NCESD partnered with staff as part of a district-wide effort to align literacy instruction across grade levels. That work includes monthly collaboration days, focused not just on curriculum but also on best practices in literacy instruction across K–12. One outcome: helping secondary teachers incorporate strategies like morphology and syllable types into all content areas, not just English classes.

Another example comes from St. Joseph School, where NCESD helped guide the school through both math and literacy curriculum adoptions. This included facilitating staff surveys, parent feedback, and structured rubric-based reviews of potential materials.

Curriculum adoption is, first and foremost, a local decision. Each school district sets its own policies and selects materials that best meet its students’ needs. NCESD’s role isn’t to choose curriculum for districts—it’s to provide guidance, resources, and support throughout the process. Whether facilitating committee work, sharing research and tools, or offering professional learning once materials are in place, the NCESD Teaching and Learning team is here to help districts build a process that works for them and keeps student learning at the center.

To learn more about how NCESD supports districts with curriculum adoption and standards alignment, contact the Teaching and Learning team.