Which language arts curriculum will sustain the interest of my middle-grades students? How can I be certain the curriculum meets state standards? How will it help me reach all my students, even those who need extra help? How can I learn how to use these materials?

These questions are on the minds of many middle school teachers, principals, and curriculum leaders as they respond to growing pressure to produce better-educated students. This authoritative handbook was designed to guide them through the language arts curriculum selection process, helping them choose and use curricula that promote high standards of student achievement.

Drawing on the expertise of the authors as well as interviews with dozens of practitioners, Guiding Curriculum Decisions for Middle-Grades Language Arts presents a framework for decision making, provides an overview of the curriculum decision-making process, and contains detailed information on a variety of language arts curricula and curriculum resources.

The authors pose a set of critical questions for curriculum decision making that corresponds to a framework focused on three priorities: academic rigor, equity, and developmental appropriateness. Vignettes drawn from interviews with practitioners suggest not only what exemplary curricula look like in action, but also the kinds of professional development that help teachers implement them. Also included are profiles of outstanding curricula that illustrate the qualities identified in the framework, as well as information about additional curricula and professional development resources available in print and online.