The Effectiveness of Enabling Transformational Change Across a School District

• In Event: International Perspectives on Capacity for Change

Abstract

This case study describes characteristics of large-scale change in one mid-sized school district. In combination with two sets of publicly available quantitative data, interviews with 24 school and district leaders identified four impactful characteristics of large-scale change: a collaboratively built and universally administered strategic plan, a focus on building individual capacity through a professional learning model, the establishment of collaborative structures to co-create the future, and the fostering of high organizational trust. To a lesser degree, accountability and communication were also seen as important. At a time when there is a growing consensus of the need to transform public education, these findings provide guidance of what to do and what to avoid when embarking upon second order change.

Authors

• Greg Bass, Government of Alberta

• Dianne Gereluk, University of Calgary

• Sharon Friesen, University of Calgary

• Jim Brandon, University of Calgary