creating sustained systematic school change
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Creating Sustainable Systematic School Change
Wafa Hozien, Ph.D.Virginia State Universitywhozien@vsu.edu
Based on the Book: Why Failure Is Not An Option
10 Common Routes to Failure and How to Avoid Each
CHAPTER 3
10 Common Routes to Failure, and How to Avoid Each
Obstacle Possible Solutions
Obstacle 1: We Don’t Want to Change
• Phase in sustainable change • Begin with the “willing few” • Create fail-safe environments for pioneers to operate • Provide forums for successes to be heard, celebrated and
emulated
Obstacle 2: You’re the Leader, Tell Me What to Do
• Reevaluate the leadership style toward ensuring long-term commitment from staff to success of all students
• Create teacher-led leadership teams • Endorse the changes teachers determine are beneficial for
students
Obstacle 3: We Have No Time For This!
• Determine if time is the only issue • Ensure that the change process is seen as worth the time
spent • Provide common planning time • Involve students in community-based service learning • Create banks of time • Explore the options discussed in Resource 2, Strategies for
Making Time
Overview: Obstacles to Change and Possible Solutions
•
Obstacle Possible Solutions
Obstacle 4: Carrots and Sticks Don’t Work
• Provide constructive alternatives to extrinsic rewards such as grades
• Emphasize that the goal is to learn and to grow continually
Obstacle 5: Students Must Be Tested and Graded
• Revise grading system• Use project-based learning alternatives
Obstacle 6: The Mandates are in the Way
• Work with the school district toward acceptance of data on teacher performance based on the school’s principles of learning
• Use buffering strategies to protect staff
Obstacle Possible Solutions
Obstacle 7: We Like Last Year’s Silver Bullet Better
• Clarify intentions, beliefs, values, and mission to ensure alignment of new initiatives
• Build internal capacity and direction versus external search for quick solutions
• Show how new initiatives offer a well-planned and assessed means of reaching the school’s smart goals
Obstacle 8: We Don’t Know What We Want, What We Need, or the Difference Between the Two
• Ask school teams to take the quick self- assessment provided in Resource 3.
Obstacle 9: We Can’t Agree
• Gain consensus on the definition of consensus • Confront behaviors that are inconsistent with the mutual
agreement • Broadly tout and celebrate successes
Obstacle 10: We’re Waiting for the Dream Team
• Recognize that taking leadership at any level- in the classroom or building – can still contribute to student success
• Pursue the ideal response to a void in leadership: Fill it
Obstacle Possible Solutions
Obstacle 9: We Can’t Agree
• Gain consensus on the definition of consensus • Confront behaviors that are inconsistent with the mutual
agreement • Broadly tout and celebrate successes
Obstacle 10: We’re Waiting for the Dream Team
• Recognize that taking leadership at any level- in the classroom or building – can still contribute to student success
• Pursue the ideal response to a void in leadership: Fill it
References
• Blankstein, Alan M. (2004). Failure Is Not an Option: Six Principles That Advance Student Achievement in Highly Effective Schools. Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Corwin.
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