The changing world of technology and social/societal demands often necessitate curriculum changes within the learning environments of our schools. These changes can occur at the classroom level, the building level and the district levels. These curriculum changes can be based on new research findings, societal needs, technological advancements, policy changes or a shift in educational philosophy. It is important to understand the nature of curriculum change and how to manage it in a successful manner.
The majority of interview respondents shared a combination of personal and informational concerns regarding curriculum changes. These concerns spanned several areas of curriculum and were divided into two categories: (1) the management of the process, and (2) the impact of specific curricular decisions on the educational community.
It is vital to realize that any curriculum change is a multi-year project and that the success of the program depends on multiple factors. Those factors include clear communication and leadership, adequate resources and faculty/staff development.
Informational Concerns: Several respondents noted that the implementation of curriculum changes requires extensive, well-planned communication to ensure that all parties involved in the process fully understood what was being done and why. This is particularly critical for those curriculum changes that affect the classroom environment.
It was also emphasized that the process of curriculum reform is not linear and should be carefully managed to avoid disruption of daily operations. It is also important to recognize that not all faculty and staff will embrace the curriculum reform effort and that their concerns must be addressed in a sensitive manner. Faculty/staff should be provided with continuous assistance and opportunity for frequent discussion during the process, and they must be given time to become comfortable with the new curriculum.