Curriculum Implementation Change Framework

Implementing a new, high-quality curriculum within a school system is complex, and the change process can be deeply personal to the teachers involved. If it isn't managed well, it's unlikely to work.

The Curriculum Implementation Change Framework (CICF) is a framework and set of tools that helps leaders see how teachers are actually using their materials, what teachers and school leaders think about them, and why they feel that way. With that information, leaders can make smart choices about how to support teachers and principals, build real buy-in across the school community, and make sure students keep getting strong learning experiences over time.

What's included in CICF?

  • Surveys that measure teachers’ and leaders’ feelings, extent of curriculum use, and aligned professional learning activity.
  • Implementation Progression observation tools that measure implementation quality along a progression. 
  • Data reports that empower leaders of curriculum implementation to understand and take action on their CICF data. 

Updated CICF Framework for the 2026-27 School Year

In September 2026, CPRL released an updated CICF Framework that features several additions and improvements. CICF now has curriculum-specific Implementation Progression observation tools for:

  • Arts & Letters (K–8)
  • Carnegie Learning Clear Math Middle & High
  • School Math Solutions (6-12)
  • EL Education Language Arts (K-8)
  • Eureka Math (K-Pre Calc)
  • Eureka Math² (K-Algebra)
  • Illustrative Mathematics (K-12)
  • OpenSciEd (6-12)
  • RedThread Knowledge (K-8)
  • Wit & Wisdom English Language Arts (K-8)

 

Implementation Progression for Curriculum-Based Professional Learning 

Also included in the CICF Framework is an Implementation Progression for Curriculum-Based Professional Learning (CBPL). This tool measures to what extent a system’s professional learning prepares its educators to effectively use their curriculum. It can be used to set a shared vision for high-quality CBPL, for self-reflection, coaching, and for measuring progress toward high-quality professional learning. It is not designed for accountability or assessment purposes. 

Change Categories

To support leaders of curriculum implementation, CICF provides insight into where teachers and school-level leaders are in their change journey using six Change Categories.

Change Categories

Change Dimensions

The Change Categories are built on three dimensions of change: feelings, or how teachers and school leaders feel about their curriculum; extent of use or engagement, or how much teachers use the curriculum and how involved school leaders are with it; and quality of use, or how well teachers use the curriculum. The survey measures feelings and extent of use or engagement; the Implementation Progressions measure quality of use.

three dimensions of change: teachers' and school-level leaders' feelings about their curriculum; teachers' extent of use and school-level leaders' engagement with their curriculum; and teachers' quality of use of their curriculum.

CICF's Development and Ongoing Evolution

The Center for Public Research and Leadership at Columbia University (CPRL) developed the Curriculum Implementation Change Framework (CICF) with support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and The Gates Foundation. 

The framework and tools were developed in collaboration with states, local education agencies, researchers, curriculum developers, professional learning providers, family engagement organizations, and other partners. They have been tested for their validity, reliability, usability, and feasibility. CICF is in part inspired by the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM).

To learn more about CICF or to request a copy of the framework and tools, contact Molly Gurny ([email protected]) or Liz Chu ([email protected]).