Description
Book SynopsisHere are sixteen compelling case studies that illustrate the power of future search to create lasting, whole system change. Future Search in School District Change: Connection, Community, and Results chronicles ways in which educational institutions have used broad-based stakeholder involvement to improve education. These experiences, by individual authors—many who are school superintendents, directors, and education professionals—will help those tasked with improving education by offering ideas that have proven successful. These cases document innovative initiatives in rural, suburban, and urban schools on such key issues including: District mergers, Healing racial divisions, Curriculum reform, Developing community partnerships, Creating district-wide strategic plans. This book also contains important educational themes such as: Early childhood education, Improving the performance of school boards, Improving student health, Improving achievement. For superintendents, school board members, district administrators, and anyone else with an interest in high-involvement/high-performing schools and districts.
Trade ReviewA book of hope. Future Search demonstrates the power of diversity in community. The stories tell of the celebrations and challenges of dedicated educators and committed community members working collaboratively to apply pressure and support to their school community. It is a must read for anyone who has an interest in improving the education system." -- Sharon Pekrul, executive director, Manitoba School Improvement Program Inc.(MSIP)
This book offers thoughtful guidance and specific examples of individual and group success for those who are serious about leading system-wide change in their organizations. The case studies illustrate "strategic planning", which is often misunderstood, in its highest and best use. As one who has both led and participated in such a process, I can attest to its effectiveness as a way to truly institutionalize meaningful change. -- Stuart E. Gothold, clinical professor, USC Rossier School of Education
It is my contention that public education in Canada and the United States is the primary vehicle by which democracy continues to enfold ever larger segments of both countries. In this exciting book, the authors provide practical examples of how tested social science principles are put to use in ways basic to human communication and problem solving. The authors provide rich examples of how Future Search principles guide participants to become the architects of their own future. Of the many valuable concepts and illustrations in this wonderful source book, the ones that resonate most strongly with me are 'context' and 'coherence.' The authors have provided illustrations of how educational systems at all levels?elementary, middle, high, university and state departments - exist in complex communities and can serve the needs of demographically varied populations. I closed the book with the thought that if Paolo Freire had read this book, he would be most proud.. -- Randall B. Lindsey, acting dean of the School of Education, Moorpark College and author of Cultural Proficiency: A Manual for School Leaders
I found the case studies to be an inspiration for engaging large groups of individuals to focus on acknowledging everyone's contribution and visioning what could be! System change can be an arduous effort, but the book reminds all of us that process is as important as the outcome, and that systems can and do change when there is involvement and commitment from all stakeholders. -- Darline P. Robles, Ph.D., superintendent, Los Angeles County Office of Education
Rita Schweitz and Kim Martens' Future Search in School District Change: Connection, Community, and Results clearly illustrates how a powerful planning process can be a source of significant professional learning and an effective means of altering and energizing relationships within the school community. As the chapter authors of this book point out, Future Search enables a community to envision its preferred future and to become accountable for its achievement through dialogue and relationships based on candor and mutual respect. -- Dennis Sparks, executive director, National Staff Development Council
Future Search in School District Change: Connection, Community, and Results not only contains the most interesting array of (16) case studies of school districts that you will find anywhere, it illustrates how you can engage an array of stakeholders in any setting in helping to shape and own their own futures. An exciting and an inspiring set of chapters for tackling deeper system transformation -- Michael Fullan, professor, OISE/University of Toronto and author of
Leading in a Culture of Change, the Change Forces books and T
It is my contention that public education in Canada and the United States is the primary vehicle by which democracy continues to enfold ever larger segments of both countries. In this exciting book, the authors provide practical examples of how tested social science principles are put to use in ways basic to human communication and problem solving. The authors provide rich examples of how Future Search principles guide participants to become the architects of their own future. Of the many valuable concepts and illustrations in this wonderful source book, the ones that resonate most strongly with me are 'context' and 'coherence.' The authors have provided illustrations of how educational systems at all levels—elementary, middle, high, university and state departments - exist in complex communities and can serve the needs of demographically varied populations. I closed the book with the thought that if Paolo Freire had read this book, he would be most proud. -- Randall B. Lindsey, acting dean of the School of Education, Moorpark College and author of Cultural Proficiency: A Manual for School Leaders
Leaders seeking to engage their community in creating a positive vision for the future of their schools should read this book first. The future search case studies will guide any district leadership team in using this energizing positive process to approach the challenges facing their public schools and produce needed results. -- Patricia A. All, Ed. D, deputy superintendent, Olathe District Schools, Olathe, Kansas
Describing how the future search process harnesses the wisdom and energy of diverse stakeholders to identify school district and community challenges, plan solutions, and move toward positive change, Future Search in School District Change covers a wide variety of settings and issues. The future search process transforms the often-abstract exercise of planning into real cooperation and wide-ranging investment in school and community success. The clarity of the case studies, the voices of the participants, and the authentic recounting of the future search process in these communities will inspire others to realize that barriers to change are surmountable, even in the face of leadership change, funding challenges and other obstacles. Educators yearning to transform their district and community environments to create lasting, positive change will experience these stories about how communities got clear, got on board, and made their visions happen as revelations. -- Jill Davidson, editor, Horace, Coalition of Essential Schools
Future Search is a powerful and relevant methodology for schools and communities. Future Search in School District Change tells how schools have the capacity to transform themselves and reduce their vulnerability to the politicized punching bag they often find themselves affected by. -- Peter Block, author of Flawless Consulting, Stewardship, and The Answer to How Is Yes
They address issues such as demographic variety through system-wide change, developing leadership perspectives and tools at the school and district level, growing community partnerships by such activities as focusing on student health, including student voices in such efforts as combating racism, and thinking beyond the district through such projects as teacher education. * Reference and Research Book News *
Table of Contents
Part 1 Contributor's Foreword Part 2 Preface Part 3 Introduction: Future Search in Education Part 4 Part 1: Demographic Variety Chapter 5 1 Lawrence Public Schools: Institutionalized Goals Chapter 6 2 Influencing Systemwide Change at the Toronto District School Board Part 7 Part 2: Leadership Perspectives and Tools Chapter 8 3 Converting Outsiders to Insiders: A Grassroots Approach Using Future Searches at Each School to Design the Districtwide Educational Strategy Chapter 9 4 Supporting the Merger of Two School Boards in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: The Ottawa-Carleton Community and Public Education to 2015 Chapter 10 5 Perkiomen Valley School District: Creating a Collaborative Culture Part 11 Part 3: Growing Community Partnerships Chapter 12 6 Activating Social Capital through Community Support and Interagency Cooperation: A Future Search Success Story in Education Chapter 13 7 Building Community Capacity to Support Quality Education Chapter 14 8 Supporting Health and Mental Health So Students Can Learn in San Gabriel, California Chapter 15 9 Creating a Community for Healthy Learner in Minneapolis, Minnesota Part 16 Part 4: Including Student Voices Chapter 17 10 Finding the Rainbow in a Coat of Many Colors: A Districtwide Strategic Planning Process Chapter 18 11 Confronting Racism in the Novato Unified School District Chapter 19 12 Success and System Readiness: The Lester B. Pearson School Board and Its Commitment to Educational Excellence, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Part 20 Part 5: Beyond the District Chapter 21 13 North Montgomery County Technical Career Center: Opening Up a System and Having Regional Impact Chapter 22 14 Community Collaboration: A 10-Year Journey for Young Children Chapter 23 15 Transforming a School of Education: Building System Coherence Chapter 24 16 Kansas State Department of Education: Hope and a Sense of Possibility in a Time of Scarcity and Despair Part 25 Epilogue: Engaging the System by Changing Conversations in School districts Part 26 References Part 27 Index Part 28 About the Authors Part 29 Contributor Contact Information
