Federal involvement in curriculum development has often been attended by failure to relate a specific curriculum to the total curriculum. The National Institute of Education (NIE) can have an important role in acting as a catalyst, coordinator, and financial supporter of curriculum development efforts, mainly by encouraging the establishment of mechanisms whereby curriculum development is responsive to the various constituencies having interest and concern. NIE can also sponsor and/or perform research needed to make decisions about curricular needs and innovations and disseminate information about both old and new curricula. In performing or sponsoring actual curriculum development, NIE should have a policy that is adaptive to the special circumstances surrounding any particular proposed endeavor. When needs have been properly ascertained, NIE should actively support developments in the "thin market" areas and proceed cautiously in the mass market areas. Diversity is generally to be preferred over uniformity to ensure that school people continue to have many options available. (Author/DS)