In the summer of 2018, DPI asked the Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) at Columbia University to lead focus groups of teachers and instructional coaches. The goal of these sessions was to learn about (1) how educators define, participate in selecting and developing, and would like to improve their access to high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and associated professional learning (PL) systems; (2) what generally resonates with, excites, or concerns educators in these areas; and (3) what steps educators would like DPI to take to support districts, schools, and teachers in these areas. The ensuing focus groups provided an explicit opportunity for teachers and instructional coaches to discuss instructional materials and professional learning.
In total, nearly 80 educators of varying experience levels, grade levels, and subject areas, from five Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs) ranging in state geography and population density participated. Findings are listed and detailed in both the summary report found by clicking on this link and in the longer report which includes a description of the methodology found by clicking on this link.