We have worked to align our review and adoption schedule to match OSPI’s curriculum and standards review timelines, as OSPI periodically conducts formal instructional materials reviews in various subjects as a service to school districts. Washington is not a state-mandated instructional materials adoption state; the cycle by which the state reviews materials is largely dependent on the availability of state resources. Likewise, the district’s review and adoption schedule is always subject to change based on availability of funds.

Using the following link, you can access OSPI's Design & Instructional Materials resources: OSPI Course Design & Instructional Materials . The results of state-led reviews are meant as resources for school districts undergoing their own local review and/or adoption processes. State law requires school districts to have policies and procedures in place that guide their selection and adoption of instructional materials for use in classrooms.

Each year, Deer Park School District forms an Instructional Materials Review committee to review curriculum and make any necessary recommendations for adoption of “core” classroom materials (and discuss/explore alternative core and supplementary materials). The district’s goal is to provide the most up-to-date, research-based, and appropriate learning materials for teachers and students. Standards-aligned and modern curriculum materials are critical tools for classroom learning. In the hands of our teachers, such materials are intended to move the vast majority of students through mastery of fundamental concepts to deeper thinking. Review committees are composed of certified staff and subject-matter experts to help the district meet this goal.

How does the adoption process work?

• The adoption process is defined by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 28A.320.230), DPSD Board Policy (in conjunction with Board Procedure) and the Deer Park Education Association’s contract (Article VII, Section 7). The Instructional Materials Committee (IMC) is made up of administrators and teachers – as well as qualified community members – and a non-voting chairperson (superintendent or designee, typically, the Director of Teaching and Learning). The committee convenes annually to evaluate instructional materials, ensuring that adopted curriculum fits with the District’s mission and outcomes for student learning. The review and adoption schedule is always subject to change based on availability of funds.

• The IMC process is legally required and the committee is the only body authorized to send an adoption recommendation to the School Board.

• Materials undergo an initial intensive review process, lead by the IMC. The committee evaluates the instructional content of recommended materials according to specific selection criteria. This ensures they comply with state law and district policy (for example, no bias or prejudice) and that the content is developmentally appropriate and covers necessary standards. Next, the committee selects its top choices (generally 2 or 3) and engages in extensive field testing.  The IMC’s final decision kicks off a formal public review of the materials with opportunity for comments. The IMC’s recommendation and public comments then go to Deer Park’s School Board, which has the option to approve the adoption. If not approved, the District retains the current curriculum until the adoption process can be repeated.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction maintains a webpage with up to date information about instructional materials – OSPI:  Instructional Materials Reviews and Supports – as well as information about OSPI’s legislative mandate to develop a library of Open Educational Resources (OERs) aligned with the Common Core State Standards Open Educational Resources (reviewed library). If you have questions regarding anything in relation to Teaching and Learning in Deer Park, please call (464.5500).

OSPI’s K-12 Learning Standards website provides quick access to Washington’s adopted learning standards (including dates of adoption). As required by state law (RCW 28A.655.070) OSPI adopts and oversees the development of learning standards. Learning standards in Washington define what all students should know and be able to do at each grade level. The Grade Level Standards & Resources website provides quick access to all content standards with aligned resources to support curriculum development, instructional practices, and assessment of student learning.

Additionally, OSPI’s Learning and Teaching Dept. provides support for schools to ensure engaged and effective teaching and learning for all students in Washington’s schools. The work of the dept. focuses on learning standards development and professional learning, and content support for state assessment systems and K–12 education policies.

In Washington, Common Core State Standards provide the guidance as to what students should know and be able to do in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. In other subjects, Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) provide detail about what students should know and be able to do by grade level. GLEs are aligned from kindergarten through grade 10 – so that parents, students and educators can see how skills and knowledge build from year to year. Grade level expectations have been developed or are under review/revision in each content area.