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Even excellent educational programs fail without support and consistency, so it’s crucial that leaders at all levels of education know how to keep everyone on the same page when implementing new curricula and initiatives in schools.

During the edLeader Panel “Leading with Fidelity: The Key to Effective Implementation and Lasting Results,” Joan Macenat Charles, former educator and current Regional Partner at Really Great Reading, spoke with three district- and state-level education leaders about implementation fidelity and the importance of consistency across all areas.

Everything starts with selecting literacy curricula. How do leaders know what materials to choose? Many states have online rating systems that districts can use to determine if materials meet their goals and students’ needs.

Leaders meet with stakeholders who would be affected by new curricula, such as teachers, coaches, and families, and give everyone time to review the materials and data. Pilot programs are launched in different schools to see what implementation looks like, and stakeholders meet with vendors. A critical part of all this is transparency. Leaders need to be clear with stakeholders regarding what decisions are made and why, and teachers must be a part of the decision-making process.

Program fidelity is very important, but it must be balanced with educators’ professional judgment. By making it clear to teachers why certain decisions are being made and what the goals are, it becomes easier to help teachers understand how to carry out new curricula. They need room to adjust content for different students’ needs. No two students are identical, so having that flexibility, while also sticking to the essence of the program, is important. They must understand the purpose and what is and isn’t negotiable in a new program.

It’s also important that teachers know that implementing a new curriculum is a chance to improve. The best way to help them understand the curriculum is to give opportunities for coaching, planning, and professional development. Any issues that arise can be handled by listening to teacher feedback and monitoring the implementation throughout the year to ensure clarity, instead of looking back later at how everything went.

This is where states can also help, by providing literacy labs consisting of stakeholders from all levels to discuss curricula and how best to support educators, such as providing coaches to districts that need them.

When it comes to determining if a curriculum works, progress checks are vital. Large-scale implementation takes three to five years, so consistent progress checks and constant feedback can catch small issues before they grow.

Accountability is important with implementation. Strong literacy policy and clear communication ensure that stakeholders understand expectations, and professional development ensures that staff have the necessary support. There must be expectations for the professional development, and districts need to ensure that it is ongoing.

Monthly check-ins give administrators opportunities to provide and receive feedback regarding implementation and let them work with coaches and other leaders to review possible issues. This is another way in which states can be helpful, by acting as a convener to facilitate discussions with administrators, district leaders, and families. Even if administrators have different priorities, a larger understanding of purpose helps ensure successful implementation.

One major obstacle to maintaining program fidelity is consistency. Different leaders and teachers have varied backgrounds, so it’s important that messaging, resources, and development opportunities are consistent.

Another challenge is time. Districts often have turnover, so new teachers need time to learn about the curricula, plan lessons, and understand how to adjust for students’ needs. Onboarding opportunities throughout the year can help new teachers catch up.

Clear communication and consistency ensure stakeholders at all levels understand what is expected of them when a new curriculum is introduced and how to carry out the content; through that understanding comes program—and, therefore, student—success.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, Leading with Fidelity: The Key to Effective Implementation and Lasting Results, sponsored by Really Great Reading.

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Article by Jon Scanlon, based on this edLeader Panel