June 21, 2021

Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin

Rep. Priscilla Giddings
Idaho State Capitol Building
Boise, ID 83702

Dear Lt. Governor McGeachin and Rep. Giddings,

Per our phone conversation of June 10th and my follow-up email, attached is background
information regarding the process and cycle for curricular materials review, which is
administered by the Idaho State Department of Education (the Department). These reviews are
governed by §33-118 and §33-118A, Idaho Code. It is further defined in IDAPA 08.02.03,
subsection 128, Rules Governing Thoroughness. This process is also contained in Idaho State
Board of Education (SBOE) Policy IV.B.9.

Curricular reviews are conducted to determine if new curricular materials align with the content
standards and course requirements for specific subject areas. However, the selection of curricular
materials is solely a local decision made by elected school boards. The review process ensures
that Idaho schools have quality products available to purchase, at their discretion, at a guaranteed
low price, which provides equal availability to all Idaho school districts and charter schools.

The Curricular Materials Selection Committee, who oversee the review process, are appointed by
the SBOE for a five (5)-year term.

The reviews, which follow legislative approval of content standards, provide a service to school
districts and charter schools that do not have the resources to conduct reviews at the local level.
However, they are recommendations only, and local school boards determine what curriculum is
used in their districts or charter schools.

You can find additional information about the curricular materials review process on the
Department’s website at https://www.sde.idaho.gov/academic/curricular/.

Sincerely,

Sherri Ybarra, Ed.S.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Attachment

Supporting Schools and Students to Achieve

Idaho State Department of Education
IDAHO CONTENT STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT AND CURRICULAR MATERIALS
REVIEW BACKGROUND
Content standards are generally reviewed on a six-year cycle. Adoption of new standards is
followed by a curricular materials review.

WHAT ARE STANDARDS?

Learning standards describe expectations for what students should know and be able to do by
the end of each grade. In Idaho, as in most states, standards are adopted statewide as
minimum expectations. Local school districts have the ability to add to the standards and to
implement the standards based on local decisions.

The standards are designed to ensure students are prepared for today's entry-level careers,
freshman-level college courses, and workforce training programs, and focus on developing the
critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills students need to be successful.

HOW ARE THE STANDARDS DEVELOPED?

The Idaho State Department of Education administers reviews of all learning standards
generally on a rotating 6-year cycle. The process is deliberate, thorough, and involves
discussions of divergent points of view with the ultimate goal of coming to consensus on any
changes.

The separate, but related, curricular materials review is done after any substantive changes in
the standards. A normal review would involve bringing in a wide group of educators and
stakeholders from around the state for in-depth work to study other states’ content standards,
review the Idaho standards and recommend changes. Parents, stakeholder groups and the
public have multiple opportunities to provide feedback through the public comment process.
Standards are approved by the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho State Legislature.

WHAT ARE CURRICULAR MATERIALS?

Idaho Code §33-118A defines curricular materials as textbooks and instructional media
including software, audio/visual media and internet resources. Curriculum is how the standards
are taught. This may also include any additional resources, texts, and specific instructional units
or strategies used in the classroom. Local school boards are solely responsible for selecting
curriculum and instructional materials as outlined in §33-512A, Idaho Code.

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HOW ARE CURRICULAR MATERIALS REVIEWED?
The curricular materials review and adoption process is based in Idaho Code §33-118 and 33-
118A and it is further defined in IDAPA 08.02.03.128, Rules Governing Thoroughness. Idaho
reviews curricular materials on a six-year rotating schedule in the areas of reading, English,
spelling, speech, journalism, languages other than English, art, drama, social studies, music,
mathematics, business education, career education and counseling, vocational/ technical
education, science, health, physical education, handwriting, literature, driver education, limited
English proficiency, computer science, and computer applications.

The state-level adoption process provides for the continuous review and evaluation of new
curricular materials. This process ensures that Idaho schools have quality products available to
purchase at a guaranteed low contract price, and equal availability to all Idaho school districts
and charter schools. This process maintains local control in the choice of instruction materials
by providing multiple lists of recommended materials. While school districts and charters can
choose materials from the list of vetted and recommended materials, they are not required to
do so.

The Curricular Materials Selection Committee, the members of which are appointed by the
State Board of Education, has the responsibility of overseeing the adoption process for the
state. The Selection Committee is comprised of at least 10 members who shall include: certified
Idaho classroom teachers, Idaho public school administrators, Idaho higher education officials,
parents, trustees, local board of education members, and State Department of Education
personnel. The Executive Secretary of this Committee is an employee of the State Department
of Education.

The Committee, assisted by content specialists from throughout the state, meet to review and
evaluate all materials against Idaho Content Standards and specific course requirements. There
may be multiple programs from multiple publishers that are included for recommendation. The
Committee votes to recommend materials to the Board, and these recommendations are
forwarded to the Board for adoption. All meetings of the Committee are open to the public.

If the Board accepts the recommendations of the Committee and adopts the materials, the
Department executes contracts with the publishing companies, and the listing of newly
adopted materials is published in the Department’s Curricular Materials Adoption Guide. In
accordance with IDAPA 08.02.03.128, a state curriculum depository is maintained at Caxton
Printers, Ltd., in Caldwell, Idaho. Curriculum libraries are also maintained at seven (7) regional
centers.

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