Improving Implementation of a Large-Scale Curriculum Redesign: An Innovative Approach to Balancing Fidelity and Agency

Abstract

This study aimed to improve the implementation of a redesign of teacher preparation programs at a large public university in the United States. This complex redesign impacted over 150 courses across 27 programs, involving over 200 faculty and 2,500 students annually. Implementing the redesign posed significant challenges for supporting fidelity and agency across all faculty involved, including many part-time faculty and new hires. We aimed to improve implementation by improving the faculty’s knowledge, confidence, and perceived usefulness of implementation fidelity practices. To do so, we developed two interventions: a series of individualized course fact sheets and an online orientation module. To study the effects of these interventions, we used a convergent mixed methods approach. Results showed that those faculty who used the new course fact sheets had significant increases in their knowledge and confidence of implementation fidelity practices and significant increases in their sense of teaching agency. The results also showed more positive outcomes for those using the fact sheets than those who participated in an orientation module. This study has important implications for faculty and administrators in higher education, demonstrating the potential of course fact sheets as an innovative, scalable solution to improve the implementation of large-scale redesigns.