This study takes a new look at the question of policy implementation, bringing together concepts from the literatures of public policy, implementation and innovation to investigate the actions undertaken by school directors to implement education programs. Among the interviewees there are those whose actions approximate those characteristic of champions in the innovation literature, and public policy entrepreneurs in the public policy literature; and characteristics were found that differentiate implementation entrepreneurs or champions from non-entrepreneurs. Similarities were found between the concepts of champion and policy entrepreneur, as well as points in common between the phases of innovation and the phases of the policy cycle, opening the possibility for fruitful dialogue between the two fields of study and for enhancing studies of program and policy implementation.
program implementation; implementation of education programs; policy entrepreneurs; champions
