OUR Odell HSLP

by Open Up Resources

ElaGrades 9–12

About This Curriculum

<cite index="4-1">A free online comprehensive language arts program for grades 9-12 that empowers students with the literacy to succeed in college, careers and civic life</cite>.

What makes it unique: <cite index="17-11,17-12">Student-centered analyses of robust texts and topics that empower students to pose questions, inquire deeply, reflect, and evolve as independent thinkers</cite>.

OUR Odell HSLP: Inquiry-Based High School Language Arts Program

OUR Odell HSLP is a free online comprehensive language arts curriculum for grades 9-12 developed by Open Up Resources. The program uses an inquiry-based pedagogical approach and aims to prepare students with college, career, and civic readiness literacy skills.

Best for

High school teachers seeking a free, standards-aligned ela curriculum with inquiry-based approaches and comprehensive teacher support materials

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 1 concern · 1 neutral · 4 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum meets expectations for building knowledge through texts according to EdReports evaluation. This suggests systematic knowledge-building components are present.

Gateway 2 specifically evaluates 'Building Knowledge — whether the curriculum builds knowledge through texts' and received 'Meets Expectations'

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum meets expectations for alignment to grade-level text demands, suggesting appropriate text complexity for high school students.

Gateway 1 specifically evaluates 'alignment to grade-level text demands' and received 'Meets Expectations'

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum meets expectations for teacher support according to EdReports, suggesting adequate professional development or guidance materials are included.

Gateway 3 evaluates 'teacher support' as part of usability and received 'Meets Expectations'

Direct InstructionConcern

The curriculum is described as inquiry-based, which typically emphasizes student-led discovery rather than direct, explicit instruction approaches.

Curriculum metadata explicitly identifies pedagogy as 'inquiry_based'

Systematic PhonicsNeutral

As a high school curriculum for grades 9-12, systematic phonics instruction would not be expected or appropriate for this grade band.

Curriculum targets grades 9-12, well beyond the primary grades where phonics instruction is developmentally appropriate

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

The available evidence does not provide information about whether the curriculum incorporates retrieval practice or spaced review techniques.

EdReports evaluation and curriculum description do not mention assessment practices or review methodologies

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

The available evidence does not provide specific details about vocabulary instruction methods or approaches used in the curriculum.

EdReports summary mentions text quality and building knowledge but doesn't detail vocabulary-specific instruction

Writing InstructionInsufficient Evidence

The available evidence does not provide specific information about the curriculum's writing instruction components or methodology.

EdReports evaluation covers alignment and usability but writing instruction specifics are not detailed in the provided summary

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

EdReports indicates the curriculum meets expectations for text quality and complexity, but specific details about whole books versus excerpts are not provided in the available evidence.

Gateway 1 rating mentions alignment to grade-level text demands and range and quality of texts, but doesn't specify text length or format

Sources: edreports.org

Review Sources

edreports

EdReports Panel

Gateway 1 Alignment:Meets Expectations
Gateway 2 Alignment:Meets Expectations
Gateway 3 Alignment:Meets Expectations
Key Facts
GradesGrades 9–12
SubjectEla
PedagogyInquiry Based
Faith-BasedNo
FormatDigital + Physical
PricingFree (digital). Print materials available through XanEdu, Inc. (pricing available upon request)

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: edreports