EL Education Curriculum vs Oak National Academy

EL Education Curriculum is a free, web-based K–8 Language Arts curriculum for educators and schools. It is standards-aligned and includes teacher tools and built-in assessments. The design draws on the science of reading and the science of learning and development. Students use complex, grade-level texts by diverse authors while building science and social studies knowledge. Original research and interdisciplinary investigations develop inquiry, analysis, critical thinking, and craftsmanship. Differentiated opportunities address English language learners, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and advanced learners. Connections to students’ communities support compassionate leadership and thoughtful citizenship. Grade-level index pages provide downloads such as Teacher’s Guide PDFs and Teacher Supporting Materials or Student Workbook Word documents. Creating an account provides access to hundreds of free resources. EL Education offers coaching and strategic planning for guided curriculum pilots. The digital resources plan costs nothing; some resources require an account. A 2025 K–5 professional learning course costs $350, paid once and provides 365-day access.

Oak National Academy provides free curriculum plans and teaching resources for schools, teachers, trusts, and pupils. Its coverage runs through key stages 1–4 across 20 subjects and aligns with the national curriculum and exam boards. Materials include lesson plans, slide decks, quizzes, worksheets, and videos of teachers teaching the content. Oak presents them as adaptable starting points for different settings and pupils. Its AI tools help teachers and education professionals create, adapt, and enhance curriculum-aligned lessons, slides, and quizzes; pupils must not use these generative tools directly. The service is available on the web and through an open curriculum API. Content published after 1 September 2022 is generally available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, subject to exceptions and third-party rights. Earlier lesson videos cannot be downloaded, recorded, or reproduced under the stated licence. Oak says it has no paywalls, package tiers, or hidden costs, and provides child-focused privacy protections and a Help Centre.