System Learning in an Urban School District: A Case Study of Interdistrict Learning From the National Center on Scaling Up Effective Schools

• In Event: 65.081 - Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: 65.081-2 - Division L Poster Session: Education Policy, Governance, and Finance

Abstract

Research on educational implementation has overwhelmingly focused on individuals or organizational groups. While important, this focus has left insufficient attention to the interorganizational processes by which a district system acquires and transfers knowledge and behaviors. This paper describes the process of knowledge acquisition and transfer between a district design team and three school teams in a large urban district. The case study analysis draws on sociocultural learning theories to understand how these district and school teams acquired and shared learning in the development of a shared innovation design that could be scaled up throughout the district. We find evidence that this system learning is possible and potentially beneficial, although it requires intensive support throughout the design, development, and piloting phases.

Authors

• Christopher Redding, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Jason Miller, University of Virginia

• Marisa A. Cannata, Vanderbilt University