Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
RESEARCH
A roundup of the latest research on curriculum-based professional learning
By Elizabeth Foster
Categories: ResearchJune 2025
Almost a decade ago, Learning Forward began exploring the emerging evidence about the impact of professional learning that focuses on high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) (Hirsh & Crow, 2018). The studies we reviewed reported links between educators’ access to high-quality curriculum, educators’ instruction, and student outcomes. Since then, research and implementation efforts have grown about what has come to be called curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL), a learning design that focuses high-quality professional learning on high-quality curriculum and instructional materials. Our own work in this area has grown, too; we have recently shared the positive impact our own initiatives are having on teacher and student outcomes in an issue of this journal on CBPL in the fall of 2024. Despite this growth, recent research paints a mixed
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References
Alicea, S., Davis, C., Foster, E., Hornak, R., Hyler, M., Morrison, A., Papay, J., Richardson, J., Schwartz, N., & Wechsler, M. (2025). Defining curriculum-based professional learning: Building a common language. Research Partnership for Professional Learning. tinyurl.com/3x9f5zwx
Chu, E., McCarty, G., Gurny, M., & Madhani, N. (2022). Curriculum-based professional learning: The state of the field. Center for Public Research and Leadership, Columbia University. tinyurl.com/y8zadnkc
Collins, D., Hussain, A., & Lasser, P. (2024). High quality instructional materials (HQIM) initiative deep dive. Maryland State Department of Education. tinyurl.com/5n7x5nwj
EdReports. (n.d.). Why materials matter. tinyurl.com/yz96axx8
Gallup. (2025). Math Matters Study: The value of math in work and life. tinyurl.com/48pwvy66
Gorman, N. (2017). Survey finds teachers spend 7 hours per week searching for instructional materials. Education World. tinyurl.com/4pap9m59
Hirsh, S. & Crow, T. (2018). Focus adult learning on high-quality instructional materials. The Learning Professional, 39(6), 8-9.
Marken, S. & Ash, A.M. (2025). Defining ‘quality’ is hard, making math progress harder. Gallup. tinyurl.com/mr386uba
Rivet Education. (2025). The supply and demand of curriculum-based professional learning. tinyurl.com/3ufk7yn8
Steiner, E.D., Covelli, L., Tekkumru-Kisa, M., & Diliberti, M.K. (2025). Prioritizing curriculum-based professional learning for mathematics teachers: District, principal, and teacher perspectives from the American Educator Panels. RAND.
TNTP. (2018). The opportunity myth: What students can show us about how school is letting them down – And how to fix it. tinyurl.com/4ac2nw5a
Elizabeth Foster is the senior vice president of research and strategy at Learning Forward. She leads the organization’s research efforts for partnerships, programs, and fundraising. Elizabeth co-wrote the Standards for Professional Learning (2022) with Tracy Crow and now facilitates learning sessions about the standards and develops resources that support their use and implementation.
Categories: Research
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