Description
Book SynopsisSchlechty shows both educators and parents how to envision reform and design quality educational systems. He explains how the visioning process must be rooted in real shared beliefs, how mission statements must unpack visions into concrete goals that are connected to action, and how the results of reform can be usefully assessed. Drawing on the author''s vast experience in the day-to-day work of implementing school reform, Inventing Better Schools offers new approaches for setting standards and ensuring accountability--and includes samples of actual mission statements and strategic plans of successful school districts.
Trade Review"Schlechty offers a clear and concise vision of systemic change to address the problems with education." (The School Administrator)
"Schlechty marshals readers through the ideas-to-action labyrinth of improving schools. . . . A worthy successor to his earlier work." (The American School Board Journal)
"A book filled with hope. . . . Not all reformers in the country will agree with Schlechty's solutions or even the problems, but they will be the richer for having read what he has to say on the subject." (Louisville Courier-Journal)
"Schlechty adds a refreshing voice to the ongoing how-to-fix-our-schools debate. . . . Highly recommended." (Library Journal)
Table of ContentsThe Never-Ending Story.
The Need for Invention.
The Technological Imperative.
Producing Knowledge Work.
Beliefs, Vision, and Mission.
Assessing District Capacity.
Creating the Capacity to Support Change.
Changing the System.
Working on the Work.
Measuring What Matters Most.
Leading the Change Process.
Inventing the Future: The Task Before Us.
Appendices: Action Plans for School Restructuring.
A. Memphis City Schools, Memphis, Tennessee.
B. Phillipsburg School District, Phillipsburg, New Jersey: School District Profile Team Report.
