Why Did We Need Interdisciplinary Curriculum?

In the years preceding 1989 and the publication of Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Design and Implementation, there were multiple reasons for the necessity of this curriculum including:

• Growth of knowledge
• With the science-technical revolution starting around 1960, knowledge was growing at an exponential rate. By connecting things, more can be understood.
• Fragmented schedules
• In a traditional setting, subjects and disciplines are separated into distinct allocated times. Each period is for that subject and that subject only. There was needed integration throughout the school day.
• Relevance of curriculum
• During this time period, drop out rates were significantly higher and a way of thinking in order to deter this way to integrate learning to real world applications. 
• Why is this subject important to you? Why do you as a student need to understand this?
• Memorization has its place but this curriculum model focuses on students being able to make connections and be creative.

There is also different reasonings to support the creation of this curriculum model including:

• Under this model students can have both a discipline specific and interdisciplinary orientation.
• Curriculum designers under this model must "determine the nature and degree of integration and the scope and sequence of study" and teachers should act as curriculum designers.
• "Curriculum making is a creative solution to a problem, hence, interdisciplinary curriculum should only be used when the problem reflects the need to overcome fragmentation, relevance, and the growth of knowledge"
• "Interdisciplinary curriculum experiences provide an opportunity for a more relevant, less fragmented, and stimulating experience for students. When properly designed and when criteria for excellence are met (Chapter 4, Ackerman), then students break with the traditional view of knowledge and begin to actively foster a range of perspectives that will serve them in the larger world."