The State of HQIM Selection

Where districts stand in 202–26—and what’s changed since last year

Over the past decade, the education field has made significant progress expanding access to high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). CEMD’s latest data offer a new snapshot of where that progress stands today—and where there is still room to grow.

88% of districts now report selecting at least one HQIM.

Drawing on data from more than 4,000 districts nationwide, CEMD finds the strongest level of HQIM adoption we’ve observed to date. More than 70% of districts report selecting HQIM in math or English Language Arts in at least one grade band.

That progress matters. High-quality materials are an important foundation for strong, coherent instruction—and expanding access means more students have the opportunity to learn from grade-level, standards-aligned materials.

The year-over-year data also help illuminate where the field can continue building on that progress. Math and ELA continue to show momentum, while science stands out as an area with significant opportunity to expand access to high-quality materials.

What to look for in the annual snapshot:

• Where HQIM selection stands today across math, ELA, and science.
• How selection varies by grade level, from elementary through high school.
• What’s changed since 2024–25, including year-over-year trends by subject.
• Where opportunities remain to expand access to high-quality materials.

For district and state leaders, curriculum organizations, funders, researchers, and others working to strengthen curriculum and instruction, this annual snapshot offers a current evidence base for understanding the landscape, tracking progress, and identifying where continued attention and investment may help expand access to high-quality materials.

The broader picture is encouraging: access to HQIM continues to grow. The opportunity now is to build on that momentum—across subjects and grade levels—so that more students have access to high-quality instructional materials.