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Almost every K–12 science curriculum on the market today claims to meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), but does that automatically mean these programs are high-quality instructional materials (HQIM)?! The short answer is no. NGSS alignment is a starting point, not a guarantee of quality.

The National Research Council framework behind the NGSS is clear that if both the spirit and the letter of the NGSS are addressed in the instructional materials, students are guided to deeper, more critical thinking. But it has fallen to districts to determine if resources go beyond simply “covering standards” to also support deeper learning, equity, and measurable student outcomes.

Research shows that sustained use of HQIM can lead to meaningful gains in student achievement over time—compounding year after year when implemented effectively. However, in science, “high quality” carries unique meaning. It is not just about alignment—it is about how students engage in learning itself.