26RFICISKT3 | K-3 Integrated Curriculum| RFI

Background

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is exploring the development and distribution of a comprehensive, integrated curriculum for English Language Arts/Literacy, science, and social studies for grades K-3. This initiative aims to provide high-quality educational materials to Massachusetts schools at no cost digitally, with printed materials available for purchase. The project is contingent on funding availability and seeks input from partners knowledgeable in curriculum development to inform future bidding opportunities.

Work Details

The project involves creating a K-3 curriculum that integrates ELA/Literacy, science, and social studies. Key components include: - Curriculum covering grades K-3 with 4 to 10 units per grade level. - Content sufficient for 130-160 days of instruction, with daily instructional time between 150-210 minutes. - Daily lessons across three strands: reading foundational skills, comprehension and writing, and science/social studies. - Approximately 65-80 lessons in both Science and Social Studies each year. - Assessments at the end of each unit measuring learning across all strands. Specific instructional features include: 1. Reading foundational skills focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency aligned with MA standards. 2. Comprehension and writing instruction aligned with MA ELA standards incorporating knowledge-building text sets. 3. Inquiry-based approach in Science and Social Studies aligned with MA STE standards. 4. Customization options for existing products or building from scratch.

Period of Performance

The contract execution is anticipated in Summer 2026, with ongoing development through Fall 2028. Initial units will be available for field testing during the school year 2027-2028.

Place of Performance

The curriculum will primarily serve Massachusetts schools and educators.

Bidder Requirements

Respondents should have experience in curriculum development that supports diverse learners, including multilingual learners and students with disabilities. The selected vendor will need to coordinate with DESE's digital delivery system vendor and may be required to undergo training in the authoring environment.