Understanding Implementation Through a Continuous Improvement Approach in Two Districts

• In Event: 52.020 - District Policies for School Improvement

Abstract

This paper explores the implementation of two school-wide academic and social emotional reforms in two large, urban districts in Florida and Texas. Using a collaborative improvement approach, the [Identifying Reference] developed and implemented reforms in three high schools in each district and scaled the reforms to additional high schools. Drawing from Rowan’s ideas of control and commitment strategies in schools as well as studies of implementation, this study explores how continuous improvement leverages top-down and bottom-up strategies of implementation. The study finds that both districts embraced the process of improvement. Differences in commitment and control strategies across the two districts had implications for the level of initial implementation and sustainability of the innovation in the following school year.

Authors

• Stacey A. Rutledge, Florida State University

• Marisa Cannata

• Stephanie Brown, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Christopher Redding, University of Florida