Conclusion

State OER initiatives are connecting conversations about curriculum and technology to ideas about quality and innovation. States have leveraged OER to supplement or replace outdated curricula, adapt materials to meet local needs, and share resources to realize long-term cost savings. This work has illustrated the potential for high-quality OER to enhance personalized learning, accessibility, and, ultimately, equitable access to curriculum and instructional materials.

The practices highlighted in this report represent promising approaches for implementing OER. States play a critical role in supporting districts to identify high-quality open curricula, offering guidance on how to best use these materials, and housing easily searchable, vetted content. States are also well positioned to sustain and scale this work through collaboration, ongoing communication with stakeholders, and consideration of funding and policy requirements.

This report is a snapshot of the current state OER landscape, though this work continues to evolve as new technologies and instructional needs emerge and OER awareness spreads. Just as OER can be adapted and widely shared, state OER initiatives aim to build on early successes and move forward collaboratively to ensure that all teachers and students have access to relevant, high-quality curricula.