By: S.O.L.V.E.D.
Choosing the “right” curriculum for adult learners takes time, careful observation, and a grounded understanding of who our students are. Adult learners bring lived experience, cultural identities, and specific goals into the classroom. The materials we choose should reflect those realities and move learners towards success.
There is not a lot of rigorous research focused specifically on how curriculum choices affect outcomes in adult education. That gap makes our selection process for curriculum and materials even more important, as we often operate with limited evidence that is directly tailored to our context. Several overviews note a general shortage of curriculum effectiveness studies, which reinforces the need for local vetting and shared decision making when we adopt materials.
What strong curriculum looks like for adult learners
A solid curriculum for adult education does a few things well:
- It aligns with state standards and the assessments programs actually use.
- It supports both formative checks and end‑of‑unit or summative assessments.
- It is easy to navigate, visually clear, and written in accessible language so learners do not spend energy decoding the page.
- It is culturally inclusive, representing multiple races, ethnicities, and lived experiences so learners feel seen and respected.
- It allows instructors to customize and tier instruction, meeting learners at their varied levels.
What the evidence suggests about curriculum choice?
While adult education has limited research on curriculum selection, there is relevant evidence from large‑scale analyses that curriculum materials can produce meaningful differences in student outcomes. One study that examined multiple widely adopted math programs found that a single curriculum consistently outperformed the others, with gains on the order of roughly 0.05 to 0.08 standard deviations on state tests and with advantages persisting in upper elementary grades (Koedel, Li, Polikoff, Hardaway, and Wrabe, 2017). The authors emphasized that these gains came at essentially no extra cost because textbooks are typically similarly priced, which means smarter selection can yield measurable improvement without new spending (Koedel, Li, Polikoff, Hardaway, and Wrabe, 2017).
Here is the lesson we can carry into adult education. Curriculum choice matters. Even modest differences in materials can add up to meaningful differences in learning over time. Given the research gap in adult ed, our programs benefit from structured, transparent adoption processes that surface the best fit for our learners (Achieve, 2017).
How we ran Curriculum Day
To make selection smarter and more inclusive, we hosted a professional development day called Curriculum Day. The goal was simple. Put high‑quality options in front of instructors, give them time to explore, and center their expertise in the final decision.
We invited several publishers to present their programs. Instructors reviewed samples, asked practical questions, and considered how each option would work with their learners. At the end, instructors completed an anonymous vote. They rated the materials and explained why their top choice would support both their teaching and student success. This approach built ownership and clarity. People understood the tradeoffs, and they stood behind the final decision because they helped make it.
From adoption to a clear learning path
Selecting materials is the start, not the finish. The next step is a scope and sequence that turns resources into a coherent path. Some curricula include a strong scope and sequence. Others require us to build or adapt one. Either way, the goal is consistent. Skills should build logically. Instructors should know where to differentiate and how to pace instruction. Learners should see their progress from one unit to the next.
A clear scope and sequence also helps teams align expectations across classes and sites. That alignment makes onboarding new instructors easier and reduces variation in learner experience.
Why quality and process both matter
Quality curriculum supports clearer instruction, stronger engagement, and more confident learners. The process we use to choose it matters just as much. When instructors participate, adoption is smoother, use is deeper, and adjustments are smarter because they come from real classrooms.
Adult learners deserve materials that are aligned, inclusive, flexible, and welcoming. Until there is a stronger research base in adult education, we can rely on thoughtful selection, transparent processes like Curriculum Day, and a well‑designed scope and sequence to give students the best chance of success.
Sources
Koedel, Li, Polikoff, Hardaway, and Wrabel. (2017). Mathematics Curriculum Effects on Student Achievement in California. (2017). Summary of effect sizes and key implications about curriculum choice and cost. [journals.sagepub.com]
Achieve. (2017) “What the Research Says” overview noting the limited evidence base and the importance of curriculum selection.
