Curriculum development should not be left to chance.  Too many school districts hope that teachers will find time to work together.  With the loss of staff development funds, changes in school calendars, the emphasis in most states on 'less is more,' the reduction of funding for Central Office positions, and initiative fatigue, some school districts no longer make time for curriculum development.  “Curriculum development is the essential function of school leadership.  Whether the role is carried out by a principal, an assistant principal for curriculum, a team leader, a department head, or by leading classroom teachers, the curriculum defines all other roles in a school” (Wiles, 2009, p.2).

Curriculum development is a rewarding process which enables teachers to have professional conversations about the intended and taught curriculum.  In addition to horizontal alignment, curriculum development provides educators with the opportunity to discuss what is essential across grade levels and in other courses.  My personal experiences with curriculum development and observing the work of teacher teams in multiple school systems has led me to identify the following five barriers to curriculum development: Time, Process, Tradition, Competition, and Motivation.  With proper planning, scheduling and support from school administrators, each of these barriers can be removed.

To learn about Five Common Barriers to Curriculum Development, visit K-12 Curriculum Development.

Five Business Books Which Will Support the Ongoing Work of Curriculum Development:

The following books were not written for educators, but teacher teams will benefit from the research and recommendations.  These books provide the foundation for curriculum development, teamwork, and leadership development.  Curriculum Development is no longer a solo act.  A strong curriculum involves multiple perspectives and is developed with the feedback and expertise of classroom teachers.  In the absence of multiple perspectives, a curriculum document can become a product rather than a tool which is designed to meet specific purposes or learning outcomes across the school district.

I.  Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Stick and Others Die
By Chip Heath and Dan Heath

II.  The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization 
By John C. Maxwell 

III.  The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
By Patrick Lencioni

IV.  The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference 
By Malcolm Gladwell

V.  First Things First
By Stephen Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill

Curriculum Development: Student Achievement Depends On It!