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Product Evaluation

Useful Criteria for Evaluating Supplemental Materials

Selecting the materials you use in your school’s classroom is a big decision. Quality resources should stand up to a close examination and comparison with other resources on the market. We encourage you to examine our student and teacher resources closely and compare them with other materials. Then decide for yourself.
Curriculum evaluation committees often compare materials with questions such as the following:

Are the materials aligned to state standards?

In grades at which the state is administering a test, materials should be 100% aligned to state standards, both in content and in philosophy. Our resources review standards and prepare students for state tests by providing test-formatted practice and instruction that is broken down by standard. The goal should be to make the standards teachable while achieving mastery of each standard.

Are the materials useful beyond standards review and state test preparation?

Beyond giving students practice in formats found on state tests, materials should provide a foundation for test-taking strategies — maximizing performance by developing skills and building confidence through experiences with a variety of application formats.

Are the materials affordable?

The best materials need to fit into a tight budget, as well as a classroom. A good way to comparison shop is to look at the per-student cost. It is extremely important that every student get a set of materials. Please inquire about our quantity discounts!

Are the materials research-based?

Quality materials have a solid, research-based foundation. Proven techniques and educational practices should be followed throughout the books. Learn more about the Research base of Educational Tools, Inc. materials.

What is the quality level of the materials?

In general, materials should be well organized and pleasing to the eye. Too much text crowded onto pages intimidates students. Good art, graphics, and layout give students confidence that they are working with a high-quality publication. Here’s a quick way to check quality across subjects. Be sure the materials contain:

What is the quality level of the instruction?

The instruction should use a variety of strategies that appeal to different learning styles: verbal, visual, and kinetic. Instruction and review should also be written at the appropriate grade level and empower students to think analytically and critically. In addition to teaching content, the instruction should help students develop test-taking strategies.

How can you use the materials?

There are a lot of tools to help you meet these various instructional needs:

However, the most beneficial materials will offer you flexibility in their use. The goal of any resource should be to take as little time and resources away from primary instruction as possible.