When Things Go Wrong in Curriculum Implementation

Abstract

Swafford and Langrall present four hypothetical stories of “when thing go wrong in curriculum implementation”. Story 1 describes implementation failure due to the lack of a systematics plan for implementation. Story 2 is about a lack of ongoing and appropriate professional development leading to implementation failure. Story 3 is about implementation failing because of the loss of leadership and advocacy for the Standards-based materials. Story four describes a “curtailed implementation” due to state policies. The authors state in their conclusion “Successful implementation is a highly complex process. It takes dedicated and skilled leadership … requires adequate resources … talented people to conduct professional development … budgetary commitment to support them … strong teacher buy-in.