Teaching & Learning

District course design and core instructional materials are periodically reviewed to ensure alignment with state law, state and district teaching and learning standards, and research-based best practices. We work to ensure all students receive high quality instruction and know that high quality instructional materials support teachers in achieving that outcome.

Review committees are composed of district subject area coordinators, teacher leaders and, as appropriate, external content area experts. Review of existing course design includes:

• Relevance, rigor, and alignment to state learning standards
• Alignment and balance across college and career pathways and Future Ready Skills
• Content area vision, goals, frameworks and pacing guides
• Efficacy of core, alternative core, and intervention instructional materials that support student learning
• Processes and resources used to assess student progress and address teacher professional learning

As part of the review process, materials are screened with the top resources being comprehensively evaluated and scored. In this process the final resources are then made available for 30 days for community review and written input. Final scoring by the team results in a recommended resource which then goes to the district's Instructional Materials Committee (see below).

The Instructional Materials Committee  reviews the process of content area curriculum adoption teams, any materials with the potential to be objectionable to the community, and the cost:benefit ratio in the recommendation. The IMC then recommends the core materials to be used to the school board for adoption.

The IMC is facilitated by Teaching & Learning staff and members include teachers, instructional coaching staff, special services representatives, parents, students, and a district or building administrator. 

While we are not currently seeking additional Tahoma parent or community members, we do keep a running list of people interested in this opportunity. The time commitment is approx. two-hour meetings every other month with additional time investment necessary in reviewing resources when there are active reviews in process. Members should be committed to at least two years of service. Meetings are in-person at the district's Central Services Center (25720 Maple Valley Black Diamond Rd SE, Maple Valley, WA, 98038).