The Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) met on Jan. 24 to consider recommendations on the revised Guidance for Local Instructional Materials Adoptions, determine various leadership and committee positions and approve 2024 goals.
While convening on Jan. 23 for an orientation, four new commissioners appointed by the State Board of Education (SBE) took the oath of office. Lena Bradshaw, program specialist at ABC Unified School District; Jacquay Durant, English language arts program specialist at San Bernadino City USD; Javier Hernandez, teacher on special assignment at Montebello USD; and Cheryl Frye, curriculum and instruction coordinator at Menifee Union SD, will serve through 2027.
During the Jan. 24 session, IQC members approved recommendations to the SBE for the proposed revised Guidance for Local Instructional Materials Adoptions document. A few of the most significant requested edits to the guidance include:
- Additional references to Social Content Standards, California’s Education Code and pertinent legislation.
- Additional calls for parent involvement throughout the processes.
- Include links to resources on dyslexia and supporting English learners.
- Four new figures including an Instructional Materials Decision Tree, a sample table depicting an approach to tallying reviewers’ results, a tool focused on support and instructional materials for English learners and a tool on rating how instructional programs support English learners with attention to integrated English language development instruction.
- Additional support, including a timeline, for starting and conducting the review process.
Additionally, Charice Guerra (Sobrato Early Academic Language Model) was elected to the role of IQC chair for 2024. Kimberly Young (Culver City USD) will be vice chair. Three executive committee members — Jennifer Hicks (Placer County Office of Education), Alicia Raygoza (Mountain View SD) and Niki Reina-Guerra (Davis Joint USD) — were elected as well.
Commissioners unanimously approved the following goals for the year:
- Ensure every member of the IQC understands and adheres to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.
- Provide support for the implementation of the Mathematics Framework and provide support for the upcoming Mathematics Instructional Materials Adoption.
- Provide support for the launch events, rollout plans and professional learning activities associated with curriculum frameworks, model curricula and instructional materials as appropriate.
- Ensure that the IQC’s priorities reflect the advisory needs of the SBE.
- Engage and participate in a continuous improvement protocol as the IQC works through relevant curriculum and instruction issues.
The IQC is scheduled to meet next on March 20-21.
