This paper argues that a mix of expertise is required to develop curricula and adapt them successfully to local school districts and outlines the strategies involved in using linking agents or agencies to bridge the gap between research and development (R & D) agencies and local school districts. After an introduction, the second section of the paper describes the roles of the intermediate unit, the linking agent, and the linking agency. Part 3 emphasizes the gap between research and local school districts. The next section defines curriculum, the curriculum planning process, and the roles of the teacher, support staff and resources, the R & D center, and the intermediate unit in curriculum development. The fifth section describes the Pennsylvania School Improvement Program and its attempt to bridge the gap between research and practice. The last section summarizes the position of the intermediate unit's role in curriculum development and how it can provide the linkage system between R & D and local school districts. (Author/IRT)