When Kids Can’t Read, They Act Out — The Hidden Link Between Literacy & Behavior | SOR BLOG POST 12

When it comes to teaching reading, many schools know that some curricula aren’t working — yet they keep using them year after year. Why?

The answer is often curriculum inertia: a mix of money, politics, and contracts that keeps districts tied to ineffective materials.

Money Talks

School districts invest millions of dollars in textbooks, workbooks, and digital programs. These purchases aren’t cheap, and budgets are tight.

Switching to a new curriculum means spending more money — on new materials, training teachers, and revising lesson plans. For many districts, it feels easier (and cheaper) to stick with what they already have.

Politics and Power

Curriculum decisions aren’t just about education — they’re political. Vendors have relationships with decision-makers. School boards face pressure from various stakeholders who may resist change.

Sometimes, it’s about tradition or comfort. Change threatens established routines, even when those routines don’t serve students well.

Locked into Contracts

Many districts sign multi-year contracts with curriculum providers. These contracts make switching expensive or legally complicated. Even if evidence shows a curriculum is failing, districts might be stuck until the contract expires.

What Does This Mean for Students?

Curriculum inertia means kids keep using materials that don’t teach reading effectively. Struggling readers fall further behind. Teachers feel frustrated and unsupported.

Breaking the Cycle

To break free from curriculum inertia, districts need:

• Transparent, evidence-based decision-making

• Flexible budgets that allow investment in proven programs

• Teacher and parent voices in curriculum choices

• Policies that prioritize student outcomes over politics and contracts

Final Thought

Curriculum inertia isn’t just a bureaucratic hassle — it’s a real barrier to literacy success. Understanding why it happens helps us advocate for change that puts students first.

📚 Want to dive deeper?

Visit www.mindchild.net for ready-to-use Science of Reading lessons with guided videos, insights on the 16 personality types in child development, and in-depth resources on the literacy and education crises. Empower your teaching. Empower every child.