An Innovation’s Path to Mathematics Textbooks: A Retrospective Analysis of the Successful Scaling of the Swedish PUMP Project

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we investigate how the results of the Swedish PUMP project (1973–1977) influenced the content of mathematics textbooks in Sweden. Through analyses of 26 mathematics textbooks and interviews with three key informants, we identified a large impact on textbooks and six different channels for spreading innovations to textbooks, but also teachers. We theoretically frame our results on Coburn’s four dimensions of scaling: depth, sustainability, spread, and shift in reform ownership. Our results showed that although the PUMP project was never officially implemented, its scaling followed a number of official channels. Thus, we argue that the project is an example of what may be referred to as informal implementation. We also hypothesize that while textbooks calling for a change in teaching practice rarely succeed as carriers of innovations, a change in content aligned with existing teaching practice can successfully facilitate scaling innovations without accompanying extensive professional development. The impact sheet to this article can be accessed at 10.6084/m9.figshare.21080656.