Instructional Materials Evaluation Criteria - Mathematics

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Curriculum
3 2 1 0 Rating
Coverage
Meets Core 80% of the common core objectives 70% of the common core 50% of the common core objectives Less than half of the common core
Standards and are covered. objectives are covered. are covered. objectives are covered.
Objectives
Objectives in instructional materials Objectives in instructional
are clearly stated with measurable materials are clearly stated with
outcomes. measurable outcomes.
Content Accurate information reflecting Some inaccuracies found, Many inaccuracies were found on Major inaccuracies found in
current mathematical knowledge. however information reflects major mathematical concepts or mathematical content or concepts.
current mathematical knowledge. content bias created problems with
mathematical concepts.
No content bias. No content bias.
Covers Intended Materials support and encourage Materials provide a range of Materials provide a set of explicit No hands-on activities.
Learning students to the Standards for activities with set outcomes. step-by-step instructions.
Outcomes Mathematical Practice as outlined No attention is paid to Practice
in the CCSS. Practice Standards are mentioned Limited attention is paid to Practice Standards.
but not incorporated into Standards.
instructional process.
Age Appropriate A wide range of activities to Some activities are adaptable to Limited developmentally appropriate Age appropriate issues are not
accommodate various the appropriate age level. activities. addressed.
developmental levels at a
reasonable pace and depth of Some cross-curricular activities Prerequisite skills and prior Several activities are not based on
coverage. are given. knowledge are not sufficiently appropriate levels.
developed before more complex
Includes age appropriate cross- Some attention given to concepts are introduced.
curricular references (e.g., prerequisite skills and
literature, software, etc.) knowledge.

Content organized so prerequisite

skills and knowledge are
developed before more complex
skills.
Pedagogically Facilitates a wide range of teacher Encourages and assists teachers Addresses differences in learning Hinders effective pedagogy.
Sound and student activities that reflect in addressing learning styles and and teaching to a limited degree.
various learning styles and individual needs of students.
individual needs of students.
Includes various pedagogical Includes some pedagogical strategies
Includes a wide variety of strategies for flexible grouping for flexible grouping and instruction.
pedagogical strategies for flexible and instruction.
grouping and instruction.

1
Physical
3 2 1 0 N/A
Qualities
Durability Materials are securely bound and Materials are hardbound Materials have secure binding. Materials have inferior binding.
reinforced. adequately.
Print Size and Appropriate use of font size and Font size adequate for intended Font size and format too small or Font size inconsistent.
legibility for format for intended grade level. grade level. too large for age group.
intended grade Key words or phrases bold faced Some key words or phrases Highlighting was used too much, No key words or phrases boldfaced
level and/or italicized. boldfaced and/or italicized. emphasized too much information. or italicized.
Pictures, tables, Appropriate and varied pictures, Limited pictures, tables, and graphs. Very limited pictures, tables, and Inappropriate pictures, tables, and
and graphics tables, and graphs; graphs. graphs.
All labeled correctly. Some tables and graphs are not
labeled correctly.
Includes table of Tables of contents, indices, Tables of contents, indices, Simple tables of contents, indices, Is missing one or more of the
content, glossaries, are designed to help glossaries, are designed to help glossaries, are included. following: simple table of contents,
glossaries, and teachers, parents/guardians, and teachers, parents/guardians, and glossaries, or indices.
index students connect text to Core students find concepts in the text
Curriculum.
Ancillary
3 2 1 0 N/A
Materials
Teacher Lesson plans are easy to understand Most lesson plans are easy to Lesson plans are difficult to No lesson plans.
Materials and implement; are understand and implement; are understand.
clearly written and presented with clearly written and presented with
accurate concepts accurate concepts.
.
Mathematical terms are defined in Mathematical terms are defined and Academic vocabulary is absent. Text lacks mathematical academic
academic language and appropriately used. Mathematical terms are poorly language and terminology.
appropriately used. defined.
Incorporates integration suggestions Most integration supports other Some integration support for other No integration support available.
to other curriculum areas. curricular areas. curricular areas.
Investigations and problem solving Investigations and problem solving Investigations and problem solving Few or no investigative activities.
activities focus on demonstrating activities connect to mathematical activities are not related to content
and discovering mathematical principles in the content area. area.
principles in the content area.
Several ESL strategies and Some ESL strategies and activities A few ESL strategies and activities No ESL strategies and activities are
activities that support classroom that support classroom learning are that support classroom learning are provided
learning are provided. provided. provided.

2
 Ancillary
3 2
Materials cont.
Student Investigations and problem solving
Materials activities focus on purposeful
discovery of mathematical
principles in the content area.
Activities incorporate extensive use
of CCSS Practice Standards and
Standards for Understanding..
Includes ideas to extend concepts in
real world applications.
Parent Materials Daily homework assignments and
activities support classroom
learning and are written so that
parents/guardians can help their
children.
Materials to be sent home to parents
are available in several languages.
Manipulatives Manipulatives are provided and are
appropriate.
Manipulatives can be replaced
economically and locally.
Technology
3 2
(teachers)
Ease of Use Menus are easy to read and follow.
User-friendly installation requires a
minimal level of computer
expertise.
Manual and directions are
understandable.
Investigations and problem solving
activities connect to mathematical
principles in the content area.
Activities encourage the use of
Practice Standards and Standards
for Understanding to develop
mathematical principles.
Some ideas are included to extend
concepts in real world applications.
Suggested strategies and activities
to assist parents/guardians are
included by unit.
Materials to be sent home to parents
are available in one other language.
Manipulatives are provided.
Manipulatives can be replaced
locally or by mail order.
Menus are generally easy to read
and follow.
Installation requires little computer
expertise.
Manuals and directions are simple.
3
1 0
Investigations and problem solving
activities do not necessarily lead to
mathematical principles.
Activities mention the use of
Practice Standards and Standards
for Understanding to develop
mathematical principals.
Limited real world applications.
Limited activities available for
parent/guardian use.
Materials to be sent home to parents
are provided in English only.
Manipulatives are not provided.
Needed manipulatives can be
obtained locally or special ordered.
1 0
Menus are easy to read. Might
have to read manual to understand
operation of technology. (e.g., laser
remote, software.)
Installation requires some
knowledge or expertise.
Manuals are included.
N/A
Activities are fun but do not
develop mathematical
understanding.
Activities do not encourage use of
Practice Standards or Standards for
Understanding.
No real world applications
suggested.
No parent/guardians activities
included.
No reports or parent materials are
available.
Manipulatives are not part of the
program.
N/A
Menus are not very descriptive.
Hard to follow.
Installation requires expertise.
No manuals or written instructional
materials are provided.
 Technology
3 2 1 0 N/A
(teachers) cont.
Audio/Visual High quality audio and visuals are Audio and visuals are of good Audio and visuals are acceptable. Audio and visual defects are
attributes correct and contribute to overall quality. Complements program Aligned with program content. apparent. Distracts from program
effectiveness of program. effectiveness. content.
Information is current and include a Information is current and include Information is mostly current but Information is out-of-date and only
variety of cultures, ethnic groups, some variety of cultures, ethnic very few cultures, ethnic groups, one culture or ethnic groups is
etc. groups, etc. etc. are included. represented.
Enhances Enhances learning experience. Offers some additional depth and Mild impact to overall learning Does not impact learning
learning Adds depth and diversity. diversity to learning experience. experience. experience.
experience
Technology
3 2 1 0 N/A
(students)
Calculator Appropriate activities and materials Activities help students learn use to Activities to learn to use calculators No use of calculators or calculators
are provided to explore and prove use calculator to explore concepts used to check work only.
conjectures.
Computer Software allows students to explore Software allows students to explore Software demonstrates processes Drill and practice only
and prove mathematical conjectures math conjectures for mathematical applications
Universal
3 2 1 0 N/A
Access
Content Provides ways to adapt curriculum Provides some ways to adapt Provides limited strategies to assist Inappropriate strategies to assist
accurately for all students (e.g., different curriculum to meet assessed learning challenged students. learning challenged students.
reflects diverse learning styles, learning difficulties, learning difficulties.
population English language learners,
advanced learners.)
Accurate portrayal of cultural, Mostly accurate portrayal of Does not address diversity in Inaccurate portrayal of diverse
racial, and religious diversity in cultural, racial, and religious society. populations and society.
society. diversity in society.
Assessment 3 2 1 0 N/A
Provides a Multiple measurements of Assessment requires students to Assessment requires students to A single assessment method is used
variety of individual student progress occur at apply some concepts and occur apply few concepts and provides for summative purposes only.
assessment regular intervals ensuring success only at the end of units or chapters. few measures of individual
options of all students. progress.

4
Assessment
3 2 1 0 N/A
cont.
Assessment Scoring tools and rubrics in Some scoring tools and rubrics Very few assessment tools are Answer keys to paper and pencil
tools assessment package. provided. provided. assessments.

Assessment Assessment is provided to assess Assessment is provided to assess Assessment is provided to assess Assessment is provided to assess
alignment to 80% of stated objectives with a 70% of stated objectives. 50% of stated objectives. less than 50% of stated objectives.
objectives variety of assessment strategies and
items.

Assessment for Assessment requires the application Assessment requires the application Assessment requires the application No application of ideas and
understanding of ideas and concepts. of some ideas and concepts. of few ideas and concepts. concepts.