High School Review Tool
A Guide for Evaluating 9-12 English Curriculum
Created and field-tested by literacy experts, this tool defines the key features and specific attributes of evidence-based, content-rich high school English curriculum that accelerates literacy and builds knowledge.
About the High School Review Tool
The High School Review Tool is designed to identify and inspire evidence-based, content-rich English curriculum in grades 9–12. Developed and field-tested by literacy experts, it sets forth 26 criteria across 8 domains to determine the degree to which an English curriculum deploys proven literacy accelerators and builds students’ knowledge.
The tool is modeled after the highly regarded Knowledge Matters Review Tool for grades K–8, but designed to meet the needs of older students. In high school, students are expected to read, think about, and produce increasingly sophisticated texts in preparation for college, career, and civic life. Such coursework demands not just fluency and mastery of decoding, but also a growing reservoir of knowledge, vocabulary, and conceptual understanding across the sciences, history and social studies, literature, the arts, and technical subjects.
The High School Review Tool is designed to be used as a plug-in for other evaluation instruments and rubrics because it illuminates in detail how knowledge-building can be accomplished in high-quality English curricula. We hope publishers will use this tool to guide improvements in their products as well.
About Us
The High School Review Tool is published by the Knowledge Matters Campaign, the advocacy arm of Knowledge Matters.
We provide free, research-based tools and learning opportunities for the field, including our Review Tools and Curriculum Directory, podcasts, webinars, and sponsorship of the Curriculum Matters Professional Learning Network (PLN).
Our work is informed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee of leading experts in cognitive science, education research, and public policy and builds on more than three decades of field-leading expertise by StandardsWork, the parent organization of Knowledge Matters.
Our work is made possible through the generosity of donors who believe in improving instruction and expanding access to evidence-based, knowledge-rich learning. That support helps us continue to provide free tools, resources, and learning opportunities to the field.