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Curricular Materials

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Ensuring that all local education agencies have access to High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) that are aligned to Idaho Content Standards is a priority of the Idaho Department of Education and is upheld in Idaho Code.

The Curricular Materials adoption process provides review and evaluation of new curricular materials, according to our six-year adoption cycle, in alignment with our Idaho Content Standards review cycle. Content Area Adoption Guides are approved by the State Board of Education’s Curricular Materials Selection Committee.

While the adopted materials have undergone a thorough review and recommendation process, selection of curricular materials is ultimately a local district and charter decision according to local education agency policies and procedures.

2026 Curricular Materials Committees

Curricular Materials Reviewer Invitation & Application

Attention Publishers

The 2056-2026 Curricular Materials Review will include Arts (Dance, Interdisciplinary, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts), World Languages, Computer Science, Computer Applications, Driver’s Education and CTE (refer to the list on the Intent to Bid form). 

Publishers interested in submitting materials for review should complete the Intent to Bid form by October 31, 2025.  Please refer to Helpful Information for Publishers for additional information regarding the Curricular Materials Review Cycle.

Questions about submissions may be directed to Coordinator at CMSubmissions@sde.idaho.gov.

Recommended Curricular Materials

Content Area Adoption Guides are first reviewed and approved by the Curricular Materials Selection Committee, whose members are appointed by the State Board of Education (SBOE). Once approved by the committee, the guides are then presented to the State Board of Education for final approval.

Classification Definitions

ComprehensiveBasicComponentIntervention
A program which consistently meets the focus, coherence, depth, and rigor of the Idaho Content Standards with minimal or no need for instructional adaptations and/or supplemental materials. A comprehensive program provides effective content progressions within and between grade levels. A program which meets the focus, coherence, depth, and rigor of the Idaho Content Standards at a substantial level with some need for supplemental material. A basic program provides content progressions within and between grade levels, though they may be uneven. A program designed and intended to be used to supplement a comprehensive or basic program. A Component Program will support and/or enhance the focus, coherence, depth, and rigor of a comprehensive or basic program. A program designed and intended to target and support students’ specific needs. 

To access resources, click the appropriate + sign below.

Arts and Humanities
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Computer Applications
Computer Science
Driver Education
English Language Arts/Literacy
English Learner (EL)
Health
Mathematics
Physical Education
Science
Social Studies/Economics

Helpful Information

To access resources, click the appropriate + sign below.

2026 Curricular Materials Evaluation Tools

The 2056-2026 Curricular Materials Review will include Arts (Dance, Interdisciplinary, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts), World Languages, Computer Science, Computer Applications, Driver’s Education and CTE.

Computer Science

Theatre

Music

World Languages

Art

Interdisciplinary Humanities

Adoption Process

The Curricular Materials adoption process has its basis in Sections 33-118 and 33-118A, Idaho Code. It is further defined in IDAPA 08.02.03, subsection 128, Rules Governing Thoroughness.

The 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 price, and equal availability to all Idaho school districts. This process maintains local control in the choice of instruction materials by providing multiple lists of approved materials. The adoption process also provides, through a contract with each publisher, a contract price that is good for the length of the adoption cycle. This ensures quality for each school district and allows for the best materials at the lowest possible price for Idaho’s schools. It is recommended that districts choose materials from the list of vetted and approved materials. School districts are not required to choose materials from this list.

Idaho adopts materials 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, and limited English proficiency. In addition, computer science and computer applications are adopted annually.

Materials are adopted in Idaho on a six-year rotating schedule. The intent of the adoption process is to generally approve all materials meeting the established criteria and to reject those items that are considered unsuitable for use in their designated subject area.

There are advantages to adopting curricular materials at the state level:

  • Contract prices are adhered to for six years, which saves money for the schools.
  • Publishers are required to lower the price to Idaho if they lower it to any other state after the Idaho contract has been signed.
  • Most textbook publishers maintain inventory at the state depository, Caxton Printers, Ltd. which reduces delivery time and shipping costs
  • Contracts help ensure adopted materials will be available for the life of the contract (6 years).
  • Materials are screened for quality, organization, vocabulary and graphic presentation. Textbooks publishers must submit Manufacturing Standards and Specifications for Textbooks (MSST) standards compliance form for each title.
  • Materials are screened for fair representation on such issues as environment and industry.
  • Instructional materials are screened and thoroughly reviewed by subject area experts to ensure that essential elements are covered.
  • Any materials reflecting adversely upon individuals or groups due to race, ethnicity, class, gender, or religion are not approved.
  • Small school districts are guaranteed to get the same textbooks and complementary materials as larger school systems.

Curricular Materials

in Idaho are defined as textbooks and instructional media including software, audio/visual material and internet based instructional material (Section 33-118A, Idaho Code). Idaho is a multiple adoption state and adopts a number of materials in a designated subject area from a variety of publishing companies. This is consistent with the belief that a variety of materials has value and usefulness to the schools.

The Curricular Materials Selection Committee, the members of which are appointed by the State Board of Education (SBOE) for a five (5)-year term, has the responsibility of overseeing the adoption process for the state. The Executive Secretary of this Committee is an employee of the Idaho Department of Education and is a voting member of the committee.

The membership shall consist of not less than ten (10) total members from the following stakeholder groups:

  • certified Idaho classroom teachers
  • Idaho public school administrators
  • Idaho higher education officials
  • parents
  • trustees
  • local board of education members
  • members of the Division of Career Technical Education
  • Idaho Department of Education personnel

The Committee, assisted by specialists from throughout the state, meets for one week in June to review and correlate all materials to the Idaho Content Standards and specific course requirements. The Committee votes on the materials and those recommended are forwarded to the SBOE for official adoption for Idaho’s schools. All meetings of the Committee are open to the public.

Adoption Cycle

Idaho reviews on a six-year rotating cycle. Computer applications and computer science are reviewed annually. See the Adoption Schedule for more information.

Adoption Guide

Following formal adoption, contracts are mailed to the publishing companies. After the return of signed contracts, the listing of newly adopted materials will be published in the annual Adoption Guide.

Regional Centers

A state curriculum library is maintained at Caxton as required by Idaho Code 118A. Adopted materials are housed in this library and available to the public. In addition, seven (7) Regional Centers maintain libraries of adopted materials that are available to the public as well as college students and local schools.

Districts and Schools

Adoption Consideration

Be familiar with local, state, and federal rules that govern selection and approval processes:

Helpful Tools for a Successful Adoption

Please contact the State Curriculum Library & Depository with any questions.

State Curriculum Library & Depository
Caxton Printers, Ltd.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Darin Alvaro
312 Main Street Caldwell, ID 83605
(208) 459-7421
dalvaro@caxtonprinters.com

External Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Curricular Materials?

Curricular materials are defined as textbooks or instructional media including software, audio/visual media, and internet resources.

When are Curricular Materials reviewed?

Curricular materials are reviewed on a six-year rotating schedule.

Why is my textbook for math not on the State Adoption Guide?

Idaho is a local control state. Because of this, districts can choose curricular materials from either the State Adoption Guide or select their own materials that align with district needs. Idaho is also a multiple adoption state and adopts a variety of materials for each content area. These recommendations are based on the materials publishing companies choose to submit for review and only represent a portion of quality instructional materials available to schools.

Where can I find a state-approved listing of curricular materials?

The Adoption Guide lists all curricular materials that have been approved and recommended by the state.

What is Idaho's adoption cycle?

Idaho reviews on a six-year rotating cycle. Computer applications and computer science are reviewed annually. See the Adoption Schedule for more information.

Publishers

Join the Publisher Mailing List

Downloads

Please contact the State Curriculum Library & Depository with any questions.

State Curriculum Library & Depository
Caxton Printers, Ltd.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Darin Alvaro
312 Main Street Caldwell, ID 83605
(208) 459-7421
dalvaro@caxtonprinters.com

C&C Divisions

Quick Links

Curricular Materials Regional Centers
Publisher Contact Information

Contact

Sara Bell
Coordinator
(208) 332-6949
CMSubmissions@sde.idaho.gov  

See All Content & Curriculum Staff