Engaging critical perspectives, particularly the direct beneficiaries of educational interventions—such as students, families, and educators—is essential to ensuring that implementation efforts are relevant, equitable, and sustainable. When diverse perspectives are meaningfully involved, they bring critical insights into local needs and lived experiences, which helps shape interventions that are both culturally responsive and practically feasible. This engagement fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, increasing buy-in and long-term commitment to change (Metz et al., 2015). Research also shows that stakeholder-informed design leads to more effective and contextually grounded practices, as it aligns implementation with the values and priorities of those most affected (Aarons et al., 2011).

In the context of the EIC project, several dyads incorporated student and family voice through surveys and interviews to better understand how to reach and support the project’s identified priority learners. These insights could then be used to inform adaptations to instructional content and delivery, ensuring that instruction was not only evidence-based but also contextually meaningful.

This lesson is important for scaling because engaging critical perspectives ensures that innovations remain relevant, responsive, and grounded in the realities of those most affected. Involving beneficiaries in shaping and refining implementation efforts not only builds trust and ownership but also helps tailor implementation strategies to meet local needs. This inclusive approach strengthens commitment and increases the likelihood that practices will be sustained over time. Additionally, engaging critical perspectives creates feedback loops that support continuous improvement and adaptability, both of which are essential for maintaining impact at scale.