602.11 - Curriculum Implementation

Implementation refers to what actually happens in practice as compared to what was intended to happen. Curriculum implementation includes the provision of organized assistance to staff in order to ensure that the newly developed curriculum and the most powerful instructional strategies are actually delivered at the classroom level.

There are three components of any implementation effort that must be present to guarantee the planned changes in curriculum and instruction succeed as intended:

  1. Understanding the conceptual framework of the content/discipline being implemented;
  2. Organized assistance to understand the theory, observation of exemplary demonstrations, have opportunities to practice, and receive coaching and feedback focused on the most powerful instructional strategies to deliver the content at the classroom level; and
  3. Consistency of effort to ensure all students at each grade level receive the instructional content.

The superintendent [or designee] is responsible for curriculum implementation and for determining the most effective way of providing organized assistance and monitoring the level of implementation. A curriculum framework will describe the processes and procedures that will be followed to assist all staff in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully implement the developed curriculum in each content area. This framework will, at a minimum, describe the processes and procedures for the following curriculum implementation activities to:

  1. Study and identify the best instructional practices and materials to deliver the content;
  2. Describe procedures for the selection of instructional materials and resources (Refer to Policy 602.27-R);
  3. Identify/develop exemplars that demonstrate the learning behaviors, teaching, and learning environment to deliver the content;
  4. Study the current status of instruction in the content area (how teachers are teaching);
  5. Compare the desired and present delivery system, identify differences (gap analysis), and develop a plan for addressing the differences;
  6. Organize staff into collaborative study teams to support their learning and implementation efforts (address the gaps);
  7. Provide ongoing professional development related to instructional strategies and materials that focuses on theory, demonstration, practice, and feedback;
  8. Regularly monitor and assess the level of implementation;
  9. Communicate with internal and external publics regarding curriculum implementation;
  10. Involve staff, parents, students, and community members in curriculum implementation decisions; and
  11. Provide professional development to staff to support effective curriculum implementation.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to keep the school board apprised of curriculum implementation activities, progress of each content area related to curriculum implementation activities, and to develop administrative regulations for curriculum implementation including recommendations to the board.

Adopted: 7/03
Reviewed: 6/11; 6/12; 10/13; 4/15; 1/18; 2/21; 2/24
Revised: 12/09; 3/23
Related Policy: 101.1; 600.1; 602.10; 602.12; 602.27; 602.27-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 216.9; 256.7; 279.8, .74; 280.3; 281 IAC 12 8
IASB Reference: 602.02
Mandatory Policy