A Cross-Cultural Examination of Readiness to Implement

• In Event: International Perspectives on Capacity for Change

Abstract

Readiness to implement has been identified as an important component in the process of educational change, with work in this area focused on U.S. populations. Yet many evidence-based programs, developed and validated in one culture, are implemented in other cultures. This paper represents an initial step towards the study of readiness to implement in non-U.S. cultures. A focus group was convened consisting of four intervention coaches in Italy implementing a program developed and validated in the U.S. Coaches were asked to describe characteristics of schools they perceived as most and least ready to implement. Similarities and differences between themes identified by Italian coaches and aspects of readiness identified in U.S.-based samples are reviewed; directions for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Cara Marcinek Bliss, University of Pittsburgh

• Shannon Beth Wanless, University of Pittsburgh

• Joseph W. Pieri, University of Pittsburgh

• Francesca Starita, University of Florence

• Laura Artusio, University of Florence