Research on the Systemic Transformation Process for Public School Districts

• In Event: Roundtable Session 103
  In Roundtable Session: Systems Thinking Perspectives for New Paradigms and Structures in 21st-Century Schooling

Abstract

Paradigm change is far more difficult than piecemeal reforms, and since it has been done far less often, we lack much knowledge about the process of transforming school districts to a new paradigm. This paper describes a collaboratively developed systemic transformation process, known as the School System Transformation (SST) Protocol. It is the synthesis of two different knowledge bases about the transformation process: the Guidance System for Transforming Education by Jenlink, Reigeluth, Carr-Chellman, and Nelson and the Step-Up-To-Excellence process by Duffy. The SST Protocol has also undergone a decade of field research in a systemic transformation process in a small school district in Indianapolis. The SST Protocol is described, along with the field research and theory that have informed it.

Authors

• Charles M. Reigeluth, Indiana University

• Francis M. Duffy, Gallaudet University