Studying Implementation Within a Continuous Improvement Process: What Happens When We Design With Adaptations in Mind?

• In Event: Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Diverse Perspectives on School and District Improvement

Abstract

This study examines the nature of implementation of an academic and social-emotional learning innovation using a continuous improvement process, and the conditions and supports that may explain variations across different high schools. This work is unique in that implementers were a part of the innovation design process, and adaptations were planned, tested, and refined based on local contexts. Using data from an embedded case study of three large, diverse urban high schools, we found that while all three schools implemented the innovation, the three schools differed in how well they integrated all components of the innovation and created new structures, routines, and practices to adapt their schools to the innovation. Implications for successful implementation using continuous improvement are discussed.

Authors

• Ariel Tichnor-Wagner, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Danielle Allen, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Allison Rose Socol, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Lora A. Cohen-Vogel, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Stacey A. Rutledge, Florida State University

• Qi Xing, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill