Learning Objectives

• Search for and summarize the results of instructional materials' reviews available from EdReports.

Finding the Reports 

To find the EdReports reviewed materials, choose Explore Reports from the menu at the top of www.edreports.org and then choose the content area you would like to explore—ELA, Math, Science, or Upcoming Reports. Once you have clicked the content area, narrow the reports using limiters. Limiters include Grade level, Alignment, Usability and More Filters (Technology Information). For Math and Science reports, More Filters also includes each of the indicators in the review criteria. 

You can also find reports by typing in the title, ISBN, or publisher name in the box provided. If you have already identified a potential resource to adopt, this search will provide quick and immediate results if EdReports has reviewed the material. 

Once you have found the report you wish to view, click the title to go to the report page. The top of the page displays an overview rating for the material. Note the the dropdown to view the publisher's response to the review. EdReports provides this option to all publishers of the materials they review. In addition, the Review Tool Version used for the report is displayed. 

Below the material's overall rating, view the grade level review if applicable. In the graphic below, the review for Fishtank Plus ELA's third grade has been selected. An overall summary provides an overview of the report's findings. Gateway scoring is broken down on the right.

Below the overall summary are tabs for each Gateway. Click to find the review tools findings for each criterion and its indicators. Fishtank Plus ELA for 3rd Grade met expectations for Text Quality and Complexity aligning with all indicators. However, Task and Questions lacked one indicator, and the Foundational Skills' review found the material provided "limited instruction and opportunities to rpactive grade-level phonics, word analysis, and word recognition that follows a research-based progression." 

Scroll to view the scoring for each indicator in the criterion as well as the summary. The transparency of this portion of the review gives specific examples using clear language of how the materials include or do not include the indicators. The panel on the right allows users to navigate to other indicators as needed. 

Note the bullet points that provide specific details of how the materials meet the indicator. 

Extend the Learning

Search for two or three reports using both the limiters and the search feature. Dig into the reports and identify what criteria and indicators led to the materials meeting expectations or not. What evidence is presented to support the ratings for these materials? Based on the findings, would you consider adopting these materials or not? Why