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The Challenge of Change
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The Challenge of Change
Start School Improvement Now!

Second Edition


July 2012 | 256 pages | Corwin
With practical insights, powerful observations, and critical analysis, this collection makes the widely discussed topic of school change accessible to all readers. Editor Michael Fullan, author of The New Meaning of Educational Change, brings together articles and essays that explore the theories, leadership, and implementation strategies behind the never-ending journey of educational reform.

Contributors address the problems that have led to the school change movement and offer solutions and proposals for reform. The articles provide not only practical implementation examples involving schools and communities, but also a look at the essential role hope and emotion play in the change process. Each essay provides fresh insights, such as the importance of establishing collaborative work cultures and the need for professional learning communities, that, when taken as a whole, introduce a new mindset for understanding change.

The Challenge of School Change: A Collection of Articles sheds new light on educational reform and offers important ideas about how change happens and how it is sustained. Fullan's collection confronts a complex issue with clarity and thoughtfulness and reminds teachers, administrators, principals, and parents that if they are up to the challenge, successful change efforts are possible in any school environment.

 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Part I. Change Forces
Michael Fullan
1. Introduction
Michael Fullan, Claudia Cuttress, Ann Kilcher
2. 8 Forces for Leaders of Change
Richard F. Elmore, Elizabeth A. City
3. The Road to School Improvement
Andy Hargreaves, Dennis Shirley
4. The Fourth Way of Change
Pedro A. Noguera
5. Special Topic/Transforming High Schools
 
Part II. Instructional Focus at the School Level
Michael Fullan
6. The Principal and Change
Michael Fullan, Peter Hill, Carmel Crevola
7. Breakthrough Components
Rick DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Bob Eaker
8. New Insights Into Professional Learning Communities at Work
Jim Knight
9. Coaches as Leaders of Change
Kenneth Leithwood, Scott Bauer, Brian Reidlinger
10. Developing and Sustaining School Principals
 
Part III. District Level Change
Michael Fullan, Lyn Sharratt
11. Sustaining Leadership in Complex Times
Stacey Childress, Richard Elmore, Allen Grossman, Susan Moore Johnson
12. The PELP Coherence Framework
 
Part IV. Large-Scale Reform
Ben Levin, Michael Fullan
13. Learning About System Renewal
Michael Barber
14. Economic Success, Civil Rights, and the Seven Challenges for Education Reform in the U.S.
 
Index

"It is important that we have books that contain a blend of provocative ideas and practical strategies. This is an excellent example of such a resource. I would use this book in my course on organizational change and in my work with promoting equity and diversity in leading change in schools. ”

Suzanne L. Gilmour, Executive Director
New York State Association for Women in Administration

The textbook is relevant to my course needs. However, it is not comprehensive enough in covering all the topics in my course. Therefore, some sections will be used as recommended reading. Thank you for the copy.

Dr Ali Yildirim
Educational Sciences, Middle East Technical University
March 6, 2012

Particularly useful for those involved in, or thinking about becoming involved in leading change in educational organisations. This book is a compilation of work, edited by Fullan, and includes material on forces for leaders of change and strategies for sustaining change. There is particular reference to the High School system in the US, but the content has significance for leaders of change in other education environments too. There is also reference in the content to international change initiatives, such as that implemented under Tony Blair in the UK.
Fullan has structured the book to move from exploration of forces for change to school level focus, to district level focus, and finally to a discussion of large scale reform, specifically considering the impact of choices at a policy level, and the influences on decision-making in educational improvement. The contributors also consider what might be right for education in the 21st century - particularly interesting in the light of current economic and fiscal challenges, and a good source for promoting debate around economic value of education and what are appropriate outcomes of education.

Ms Angela Higgins
School of Education Studies, Dublin City university
August 6, 2011

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


Michael Fullan

Michael Fullan served as Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013. He received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012 and holds five honorary doctorates from universities around the world. His ‘interim autobiography’, Surreal Change, covers his work to 2018. Michael and his colleagues are now working diligently on field-based comprehensive system change in several countries. This work operates under the umbrella of what they call the ‘shared humanity paradigm’ —Equity, Engagement, Excellence--Deep change that integrates local (school and community), middle (district/regional), and state (policy)... More About Author

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ISBN: 9781412953764
$41.95

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