INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE EVALUATION GUIDELINES Instructional
Resource and Materials Evaluation By the authority of the
Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland State
Education That Is Multicultural Advisory Council offers these
guidelines and a resource evaluation to assist local school
systems in their assessment of the multicultural appropriateness
of various books and other materials used in schools for
students. These contents have been developed according to
criteria emphasized in the Maryland State Education That Is
Multicultural Regulation (COMAR 1 3A.04.05). Local school
systems may use this instrument in assessing resources or as a
guide in developing their assessments. Research has demonstrated
that student achievement rises and that students better retain
information and concepts when their school experiences and
materials incorporate their own backgrounds and include similar
persons or similar groups. This also promotes higher
expectations, greater self-esteem, enhanced academic achievem