The Implementation of a Comprehensive Curriculum

High stakes accountability has brought challenges to both students and teachers. Many states have developed and mandated the implementation of a comprehensive curriculum as part of their high stakes accountability programs. These mandates have historically fallen as the responsibility of teachers to implement. Often teachers are not consulted as to their thoughts and opinions on these mandates. The author followed four first grade teachers for the purpose of observing their implementation of the comprehensive curriculum. In-depth insight was gained from interviews with the teachers. The teachers expressed their thoughts, both positive and negative, concerning curriculum mandates and the overall effects on their delivery of curriculum.