Rubric for Evaluating Reading/Language Arts Instructional Materials for Kindergarten to Grade 5

The implementation of effective instructional materials, such as a core reading program, by a qualified teacher is an important part of improving students' reading achievement. But selecting those instructional materials can be time-consuming. Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southeast created this rubric for evaluating reading/language arts instructional materials for kindergarten to grade 5 to help educators assess how consistent instructional materials (including core reading programs and reading intervention programs) are with the scientific research on reading instruction. This document suggests procedures for using the rubric to review instructional materials and inform decisions at the state, district, or school level about reading/language arts instructional materials for grades K-5. Members of the Improving Literacy Research Alliance from the Florida Department of Education requested the rubric to assist in their instructional materials review process. Educators in other states may also find the rubric to be beneficial. Calculating inter-rater reliability is appended.