Dr. William Allan Kritsonis, Editor-in-Chief, NATIONAL FORUM JOURNALS (Founded 1982). Dr. Kritsonis has served as an elementary school teacher, elementary and middle school principal, superintendent of schools, director of student teaching and field experiences, professor, author, consultant, and journal editor. Dr. Kritsonis has considerable experience in chairing PhD dissertations and master thesis and has supervised practicums for teacher candidates, curriculum supervisors, central office personnel, principals, and superintendents. He also has experience in teaching in doctoral and masters programs in elementary and secondary education as well as educational leadership and supervision. He has earned the rank as professor at three universities in two states, including successful post-tenure reviews. See: www.nationalforum.com
This dissertation examines visionary leadership among school superintendents in Western Pennsylvania. It explores how superintendents have led their districts through the challenges of increased accountability and preparing students for a globalized world. The study interviewed nominated visionary superintendents to understand their leadership approaches and how the Western PA region influences leadership development. Key findings included evidence that superintendents possess skills needed to succeed in today's world, and that the Western PA region seems to promote visionary leadership despite its reputation for being parochial. The results supported theories of transformational and visionary leadership.
Policy Brief on US Educational Reform recommends a 5% multi-age, interdisciplinary, technology-infused "test-bed" in public K-12 schools. Eliminating the "industrial age" age-based grades and grade level expectations.
The document discusses the need to shift education, including career and technical education (CTE), to better prepare students for 21st century jobs and the changing economy. It notes that over 95% of test questions require students to recall information, rather than think at higher levels. CTE classrooms aim to develop skills through applied, problem-based learning centered around real-world problems. The structure of CTE differs from traditional academics by utilizing andragogical teaching methods focused on self-directed, experience-based learning for students. The document advocates for greater integration of academic and CTE programs to develop students' problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical skills through transdisciplinary learning experiences.
This document outlines a unit on corporate citizenship from a global perspective. It is divided into segments containing activities for students. They will discuss definitions of citizenship, critique models of corporate citizenship, and roleplay as members of fictional corporations. Students will be divided into groups, each representing a corporation functioning under one of the models. They will develop corporate profiles and be given scenarios to address. Films will also be shown to provide examples of issues real corporations face. The goal is for students to understand corporate citizenship and apply analytical reasoning to solve problems through their group presentations.
This document discusses challenges facing the US education system and proposes solutions focused on implementing best practices. It notes declining test scores and graduation rates in the US compared to other nations. Lack of professional standards for teachers, outdated teaching methods, and income inequality are identified as contributing factors. The document argues for research-based curriculum, data-driven instruction, and preparing teachers through rigorous training as ways to improve student outcomes and ensure all children receive a quality education.
Rethinking education in the age of technologyAna Baltazar
The document discusses the evolution of education through three eras: 1) the apprenticeship era prior to the 19th century where education was individualized and taught by family, 2) the universal schooling era of the 19th-20th centuries where the state took responsibility for standardized education for all children through compulsory attendance and graded schools, and 3) the current lifelong learning era driven by technology where skills focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and self-directed learning. The author advocates for teachers and students to develop 21st century skills to thrive in this new digital environment.
This document discusses the history and impact of the International Self-Directed Learning Symposium over the past 25 years. It summarizes that:
- The International Self-Directed Learning Symposium was founded in 1986 and has provided an annual forum for presenting and discussing research on self-directed learning.
- The International Society for Self-Directed Learning grew out of the symposia and now sponsors both the symposia and the International Journal of Self-Directed Learning.
- Over the past 25 years, the symposia have helped disseminate research findings and foster discussion that has advanced the field of self-directed learning. Papers presented at the symposia have also been published
How Well is Kentucky Preparing all Students for College, Career, and Lifenkyec
The document discusses how a high school diploma is no longer sufficient preparation for students and careers now require education beyond high school. It notes that too many students drop out or graduate without the necessary skills, limiting their options. It argues that aligning K-12 education with postsecondary expectations is key to preparing all students for college, careers and life.
This dissertation examines visionary leadership among school superintendents in Western Pennsylvania. It explores how superintendents have led their districts through the challenges of increased accountability and preparing students for a globalized world. The study interviewed nominated visionary superintendents to understand their leadership approaches and how the Western PA region influences leadership development. Key findings included evidence that superintendents possess skills needed to succeed in today's world, and that the Western PA region seems to promote visionary leadership despite its reputation for being parochial. The results supported theories of transformational and visionary leadership.
Policy Brief on US Educational Reform recommends a 5% multi-age, interdisciplinary, technology-infused "test-bed" in public K-12 schools. Eliminating the "industrial age" age-based grades and grade level expectations.
The document discusses the need to shift education, including career and technical education (CTE), to better prepare students for 21st century jobs and the changing economy. It notes that over 95% of test questions require students to recall information, rather than think at higher levels. CTE classrooms aim to develop skills through applied, problem-based learning centered around real-world problems. The structure of CTE differs from traditional academics by utilizing andragogical teaching methods focused on self-directed, experience-based learning for students. The document advocates for greater integration of academic and CTE programs to develop students' problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical skills through transdisciplinary learning experiences.
This document outlines a unit on corporate citizenship from a global perspective. It is divided into segments containing activities for students. They will discuss definitions of citizenship, critique models of corporate citizenship, and roleplay as members of fictional corporations. Students will be divided into groups, each representing a corporation functioning under one of the models. They will develop corporate profiles and be given scenarios to address. Films will also be shown to provide examples of issues real corporations face. The goal is for students to understand corporate citizenship and apply analytical reasoning to solve problems through their group presentations.
This document discusses challenges facing the US education system and proposes solutions focused on implementing best practices. It notes declining test scores and graduation rates in the US compared to other nations. Lack of professional standards for teachers, outdated teaching methods, and income inequality are identified as contributing factors. The document argues for research-based curriculum, data-driven instruction, and preparing teachers through rigorous training as ways to improve student outcomes and ensure all children receive a quality education.
Rethinking education in the age of technologyAna Baltazar
The document discusses the evolution of education through three eras: 1) the apprenticeship era prior to the 19th century where education was individualized and taught by family, 2) the universal schooling era of the 19th-20th centuries where the state took responsibility for standardized education for all children through compulsory attendance and graded schools, and 3) the current lifelong learning era driven by technology where skills focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and self-directed learning. The author advocates for teachers and students to develop 21st century skills to thrive in this new digital environment.
This document discusses the history and impact of the International Self-Directed Learning Symposium over the past 25 years. It summarizes that:
- The International Self-Directed Learning Symposium was founded in 1986 and has provided an annual forum for presenting and discussing research on self-directed learning.
- The International Society for Self-Directed Learning grew out of the symposia and now sponsors both the symposia and the International Journal of Self-Directed Learning.
- Over the past 25 years, the symposia have helped disseminate research findings and foster discussion that has advanced the field of self-directed learning. Papers presented at the symposia have also been published
How Well is Kentucky Preparing all Students for College, Career, and Lifenkyec
The document discusses how a high school diploma is no longer sufficient preparation for students and careers now require education beyond high school. It notes that too many students drop out or graduate without the necessary skills, limiting their options. It argues that aligning K-12 education with postsecondary expectations is key to preparing all students for college, careers and life.
The document discusses curriculum leadership and 21st century learning methods. It summarizes research showing that while U.S. student performance on standardized tests is high, they struggle with real-world problem solving. Initiatives like No Child Left Behind and programs assessing skills like PISA aimed to improve skills, but funding limited ability to fully incorporate 21st century testing. Challenges included adequately supporting diverse learners under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Dr. William Allan Kritsonis & Steven Norfleetguestfa49ec
Dr. William Allan Kritsonis & Steven Norfleet
In 2004, Dr. William Allan Kritsonis was recognized as the Central Washington University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus for the College of Education and Professional Studies. Dr. Kritsonis was nominated by alumni, former students, friends, faculty, and staff. Final selection was made by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Recipients are CWU graduates of 20 years or more and are recognized for achievement in their professional field and have made a positive contribution to society. For the second consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report placed Central Washington University among the top elite public institutions in the west. CWU was 12th on the list in the 2006 On-Line Education of “America’s Best Colleges.”
The document provides an overview of the impact of emerging technologies on the American educational system in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It discusses how technologies like computers, internet access, and digital resources rapidly proliferated in schools during this period. However, it also notes that the educational system struggled to adapt to this "information chaos" and that technologies were sometimes adopted more for marketing purposes than improving instruction. The document explores issues around balancing educational quality versus quantity and approaches versus avoidances of new technologies in this transitional period.
This document provides an overview and review of the book "Education Technology and the Failure of American Schools" by Charles K. Stallard and Julie Cocker. The book examines the lack of progress in how K-12 schools in the US have integrated technology to improve student achievement in the 15 years since the authors' previous book. It offers a broad analysis of why the American education system has struggled, comparing it to higher-performing school systems abroad. The authors argue for an ambitious reform approach that rethinks the governance, organization, and practices of US schools.
An empirical examination of sustainability for multinational firms in china ...Faiza Latif
This document summarizes an empirical study that examined sustainability practices among multinational firms operating in China. The study aimed to: 1) Examine pressure from parent companies on subsidiaries in China to improve sustainability; 2) Develop a conceptual framework of indicators to assess sustainability performance; and 3) Identify motivators for implementing sustainability practices and implications. The study analyzed survey responses from 229 executives at multinational subsidiaries in China. Key findings included differences in sustainability practices based on firm size, and that greater emphasis is needed on management in host countries to improve sustainability. The study contributes to understanding antecedents of sustainability among multinationals operating abroad.
Williams, Monica National Focus On Postmodernism In Higher EducationWilliam Kritsonis
Postmodernism in higher education is a widely debated issue. Critics argue that postmodernism breeds an unruliness of knowledge in higher education. Some academics choose to educate students through prescription rather than innovating classroom delivery and incorporating postmodernism.
Students Voice: Continuum of Choice for the future of educationAlana James
How much and to what extent should we consider trust and student voice as we redesign education? This is the first year report of findings from the Future(s) of Education project (www.futureofeducationproject.net)
This document provides an executive summary of a report about education reform and improving school systems. It discusses how despite increases in education spending, the performance of many school systems has barely improved. However, some school systems consistently perform better than others. The report studied 25 school systems, including 10 top performers, to understand what factors contribute to their success. The key findings are that the three most important factors are: 1) ensuring good quality teachers, 2) developing teachers' skills, and 3) delivering the best instruction to every child. Top performing systems demonstrate that focusing on these areas can lead to substantial improvements in outcomes, regardless of culture.
This document discusses how despite massive increases in education spending and reform efforts over decades, performance in many school systems has barely improved. International assessments show wide variations in quality between systems. The US is used as an example - despite large spending increases, smaller class sizes, and tens of thousands of reform initiatives, student outcomes remained almost the same. The experiences of top-performing systems were studied to understand why some consistently perform better and improve faster than others.
This document provides an executive summary of a report about education reform and improving school systems. It discusses how despite increases in education spending, the performance of many school systems has barely improved. However, some school systems consistently perform better than others. The report studied 25 school systems, including 10 top performers, to understand what factors contribute to their success. The key findings are that the three most important factors are: 1) ensuring good quality teachers, 2) developing teachers' skills, and 3) delivering the best instruction to every child. Top performing systems demonstrate that focusing on these areas can lead to substantial improvements in student outcomes, regardless of culture or context.
An ecological model of school counseling.pdfShannon Green
This document discusses the evolution of professional school counseling toward an ecological approach. It begins by describing the traditional "industrial model" of education, which views students as products moving through an assembly line. It argues this model is no longer relevant and does not meet the needs of a diverse, changing world. The document then provides an overview of ecological thought, which views systems as interconnected across multiple levels. It discusses how ecological models have been applied in other fields like counseling, social work, and public health. Finally, it proposes developing an intentional model of ecological school counseling, with the goal of understanding students in context and promoting their academic success and fit within their environments.
This document discusses the need for schools to change and adapt to the 21st century by embracing new technologies, networking, and shifting from an emphasis on teaching to co-learning. It notes that current students have changed and that half of what students learn in their first year will be outdated by their third year. Schools need to become more open, social, mobile and leverage collective intelligence and personal learning networks to better prepare students.
This document provides a summary of learning, how people learn, and the importance of lifelong learning. It discusses that while many students and teachers assume learning is occurring simply through teaching and memorization of facts, recent studies show college graduates often lack critical thinking skills. It also outlines how views of learning have changed, emphasizing developing skills like communication, teamwork, and being an intentional learner. The document discusses Bloom's taxonomy of cognitive levels of learning and introduces the concepts of different types of knowledge and the importance of the affective domain in learning. The overall message is that learning requires active engagement and reflection, and should be a lifelong pursuit beyond formal education.
- Researchers used a Data-in-a-Day approach to observe multiple classrooms in a single day through short observations, faculty surveys, and student questionnaires.
- Data-in-a-Day allows for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing data from various stakeholders to evaluate educational reforms and provide timely feedback to schools.
- The document describes a classroom observation checklist and student questionnaire used in the Data-in-a-Day approach to evaluate smaller learning communities at a school.
This document discusses the need for schools and teachers to adapt to changing technologies and learning styles in the 21st century. It notes that current school models are becoming outdated and risk making schools irrelevant. It highlights trends like social learning, knowledge creation, mobile devices, and open content that require schools to shift from an emphasis on teaching to co-learning. The document argues that teachers must become "lead learners" and develop personal learning networks in order to best prepare students.
Change for Motivation_Support for New Pedagogies of Teaching and Learning in ...Andrea Lagalisse
This document summarizes a research paper about supporting motivation for educational change in Ontario public schools. It explores how motivation relates to education and why systemic or "whole-system" change is needed. It discusses theories of social constructivism and sociocultural learning, and examines examples of educational reforms in Finland and Alberta. The document argues that a slow, whole-system approach is needed to change educational philosophy, policy, and practice towards more participatory, relevant, and learner-centered models of teaching and learning.
This document is a research paper on 21st century skills. It presents findings from books on assessing 21st century skills, education landscapes in the 21st century, standards for 21st century learners, secondary education in the 21st century, and technology-based assessments. The paper discusses the National Research Council's workshops on 21st century skills and reviews of assessments. It reflects on the importance of critical thinking skills and teaching students how to learn. The conclusion recommends how schools can develop 21st century skills in students through curriculum changes, professional development, and collaboration with communities.
Mediating systemic change in educational systemsAlfredo Artiles
This document summarizes a study on mediating systemic change in educational systems through socio-cultural methods. Key points:
- The authors used ethnographic research methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations to understand challenges to equity in 3 state educational systems and help facilitate change.
- They worked with school districts to broaden participation in examining equity issues, disrupting typical hierarchies and involving more student/family voices.
- The goal was to build organizational capacity for ongoing reflection and improvement through tools that helped reframe understanding of problems and disrupt traditional views, while focusing on equity.
This document provides a summary of a paper exploring the relationship between critical pedagogy and teaching standards. It discusses how critical pedagogy aims for social transformation and empowering marginalized voices, while teaching standards guide teacher expectations and assessment. The paper contends these concepts can intersect in preparing teachers for a democratic society. It outlines the goals of critical pedagogy and analyzes the INTASC teaching standards, arguing they can support critical teaching if implemented with a focus on social change and academic success for all students.
Tick TOCS Tick TOCS - channeling change through theory into scenariosWendy Schultz
Describes an original scenario-building method used to explore futures for education, based on combining scanning output with specific social change theories. The social change theories provided logical narrative arcs to evolve different futures from starting points in the present.
The document discusses 10 trends that will impact education for the future, including an aging population, the importance of social and intellectual capital, personalized education, the role of technology, and the need for schools to prepare students with 21st century skills. It also discusses how education is shifting from traditional models to new approaches that incorporate emerging technologies, collaboration, creativity, and student-centered learning. Schools will need to change and adapt their practices to meet the needs of students in this new digital world.
The document discusses curriculum leadership and 21st century learning methods. It summarizes research showing that while U.S. student performance on standardized tests is high, they struggle with real-world problem solving. Initiatives like No Child Left Behind and programs assessing skills like PISA aimed to improve skills, but funding limited ability to fully incorporate 21st century testing. Challenges included adequately supporting diverse learners under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Dr. William Allan Kritsonis & Steven Norfleetguestfa49ec
Dr. William Allan Kritsonis & Steven Norfleet
In 2004, Dr. William Allan Kritsonis was recognized as the Central Washington University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus for the College of Education and Professional Studies. Dr. Kritsonis was nominated by alumni, former students, friends, faculty, and staff. Final selection was made by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Recipients are CWU graduates of 20 years or more and are recognized for achievement in their professional field and have made a positive contribution to society. For the second consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report placed Central Washington University among the top elite public institutions in the west. CWU was 12th on the list in the 2006 On-Line Education of “America’s Best Colleges.”
The document provides an overview of the impact of emerging technologies on the American educational system in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It discusses how technologies like computers, internet access, and digital resources rapidly proliferated in schools during this period. However, it also notes that the educational system struggled to adapt to this "information chaos" and that technologies were sometimes adopted more for marketing purposes than improving instruction. The document explores issues around balancing educational quality versus quantity and approaches versus avoidances of new technologies in this transitional period.
This document provides an overview and review of the book "Education Technology and the Failure of American Schools" by Charles K. Stallard and Julie Cocker. The book examines the lack of progress in how K-12 schools in the US have integrated technology to improve student achievement in the 15 years since the authors' previous book. It offers a broad analysis of why the American education system has struggled, comparing it to higher-performing school systems abroad. The authors argue for an ambitious reform approach that rethinks the governance, organization, and practices of US schools.
An empirical examination of sustainability for multinational firms in china ...Faiza Latif
This document summarizes an empirical study that examined sustainability practices among multinational firms operating in China. The study aimed to: 1) Examine pressure from parent companies on subsidiaries in China to improve sustainability; 2) Develop a conceptual framework of indicators to assess sustainability performance; and 3) Identify motivators for implementing sustainability practices and implications. The study analyzed survey responses from 229 executives at multinational subsidiaries in China. Key findings included differences in sustainability practices based on firm size, and that greater emphasis is needed on management in host countries to improve sustainability. The study contributes to understanding antecedents of sustainability among multinationals operating abroad.
Williams, Monica National Focus On Postmodernism In Higher EducationWilliam Kritsonis
Postmodernism in higher education is a widely debated issue. Critics argue that postmodernism breeds an unruliness of knowledge in higher education. Some academics choose to educate students through prescription rather than innovating classroom delivery and incorporating postmodernism.
Students Voice: Continuum of Choice for the future of educationAlana James
How much and to what extent should we consider trust and student voice as we redesign education? This is the first year report of findings from the Future(s) of Education project (www.futureofeducationproject.net)
This document provides an executive summary of a report about education reform and improving school systems. It discusses how despite increases in education spending, the performance of many school systems has barely improved. However, some school systems consistently perform better than others. The report studied 25 school systems, including 10 top performers, to understand what factors contribute to their success. The key findings are that the three most important factors are: 1) ensuring good quality teachers, 2) developing teachers' skills, and 3) delivering the best instruction to every child. Top performing systems demonstrate that focusing on these areas can lead to substantial improvements in outcomes, regardless of culture.
This document discusses how despite massive increases in education spending and reform efforts over decades, performance in many school systems has barely improved. International assessments show wide variations in quality between systems. The US is used as an example - despite large spending increases, smaller class sizes, and tens of thousands of reform initiatives, student outcomes remained almost the same. The experiences of top-performing systems were studied to understand why some consistently perform better and improve faster than others.
This document provides an executive summary of a report about education reform and improving school systems. It discusses how despite increases in education spending, the performance of many school systems has barely improved. However, some school systems consistently perform better than others. The report studied 25 school systems, including 10 top performers, to understand what factors contribute to their success. The key findings are that the three most important factors are: 1) ensuring good quality teachers, 2) developing teachers' skills, and 3) delivering the best instruction to every child. Top performing systems demonstrate that focusing on these areas can lead to substantial improvements in student outcomes, regardless of culture or context.
An ecological model of school counseling.pdfShannon Green
This document discusses the evolution of professional school counseling toward an ecological approach. It begins by describing the traditional "industrial model" of education, which views students as products moving through an assembly line. It argues this model is no longer relevant and does not meet the needs of a diverse, changing world. The document then provides an overview of ecological thought, which views systems as interconnected across multiple levels. It discusses how ecological models have been applied in other fields like counseling, social work, and public health. Finally, it proposes developing an intentional model of ecological school counseling, with the goal of understanding students in context and promoting their academic success and fit within their environments.
This document discusses the need for schools to change and adapt to the 21st century by embracing new technologies, networking, and shifting from an emphasis on teaching to co-learning. It notes that current students have changed and that half of what students learn in their first year will be outdated by their third year. Schools need to become more open, social, mobile and leverage collective intelligence and personal learning networks to better prepare students.
This document provides a summary of learning, how people learn, and the importance of lifelong learning. It discusses that while many students and teachers assume learning is occurring simply through teaching and memorization of facts, recent studies show college graduates often lack critical thinking skills. It also outlines how views of learning have changed, emphasizing developing skills like communication, teamwork, and being an intentional learner. The document discusses Bloom's taxonomy of cognitive levels of learning and introduces the concepts of different types of knowledge and the importance of the affective domain in learning. The overall message is that learning requires active engagement and reflection, and should be a lifelong pursuit beyond formal education.
- Researchers used a Data-in-a-Day approach to observe multiple classrooms in a single day through short observations, faculty surveys, and student questionnaires.
- Data-in-a-Day allows for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing data from various stakeholders to evaluate educational reforms and provide timely feedback to schools.
- The document describes a classroom observation checklist and student questionnaire used in the Data-in-a-Day approach to evaluate smaller learning communities at a school.
This document discusses the need for schools and teachers to adapt to changing technologies and learning styles in the 21st century. It notes that current school models are becoming outdated and risk making schools irrelevant. It highlights trends like social learning, knowledge creation, mobile devices, and open content that require schools to shift from an emphasis on teaching to co-learning. The document argues that teachers must become "lead learners" and develop personal learning networks in order to best prepare students.
Change for Motivation_Support for New Pedagogies of Teaching and Learning in ...Andrea Lagalisse
This document summarizes a research paper about supporting motivation for educational change in Ontario public schools. It explores how motivation relates to education and why systemic or "whole-system" change is needed. It discusses theories of social constructivism and sociocultural learning, and examines examples of educational reforms in Finland and Alberta. The document argues that a slow, whole-system approach is needed to change educational philosophy, policy, and practice towards more participatory, relevant, and learner-centered models of teaching and learning.
This document is a research paper on 21st century skills. It presents findings from books on assessing 21st century skills, education landscapes in the 21st century, standards for 21st century learners, secondary education in the 21st century, and technology-based assessments. The paper discusses the National Research Council's workshops on 21st century skills and reviews of assessments. It reflects on the importance of critical thinking skills and teaching students how to learn. The conclusion recommends how schools can develop 21st century skills in students through curriculum changes, professional development, and collaboration with communities.
Mediating systemic change in educational systemsAlfredo Artiles
This document summarizes a study on mediating systemic change in educational systems through socio-cultural methods. Key points:
- The authors used ethnographic research methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations to understand challenges to equity in 3 state educational systems and help facilitate change.
- They worked with school districts to broaden participation in examining equity issues, disrupting typical hierarchies and involving more student/family voices.
- The goal was to build organizational capacity for ongoing reflection and improvement through tools that helped reframe understanding of problems and disrupt traditional views, while focusing on equity.
This document provides a summary of a paper exploring the relationship between critical pedagogy and teaching standards. It discusses how critical pedagogy aims for social transformation and empowering marginalized voices, while teaching standards guide teacher expectations and assessment. The paper contends these concepts can intersect in preparing teachers for a democratic society. It outlines the goals of critical pedagogy and analyzes the INTASC teaching standards, arguing they can support critical teaching if implemented with a focus on social change and academic success for all students.
Tick TOCS Tick TOCS - channeling change through theory into scenariosWendy Schultz
Describes an original scenario-building method used to explore futures for education, based on combining scanning output with specific social change theories. The social change theories provided logical narrative arcs to evolve different futures from starting points in the present.
The document discusses 10 trends that will impact education for the future, including an aging population, the importance of social and intellectual capital, personalized education, the role of technology, and the need for schools to prepare students with 21st century skills. It also discusses how education is shifting from traditional models to new approaches that incorporate emerging technologies, collaboration, creativity, and student-centered learning. Schools will need to change and adapt their practices to meet the needs of students in this new digital world.
The Influence Of Family Background EssayBarb Tillich
The document discusses the importance of teachers understanding the Common Core Standards to help students achieve educational goals. It states that the standards guide teachers to prepare students for what they are expected to learn to succeed in life. Furthermore, the document emphasizes that as a world language teacher it is key to follow the Core Curriculum Standards for World Languages and integrate them into teaching to provide students with relevant skills for college and careers.
Growe, roslin the new growe inquiry in education schooling v2 n1 2011William Kritsonis
Dr. William Allan Kritsonis, Editor-in-Chief, NATIONAL FORUM JOURNALS (Founded 1982). Dr. Kritsonis has served as an elementary school teacher, elementary and middle school principal, superintendent of schools, director of student teaching and field experiences, professor, author, consultant, and journal editor. Dr. Kritsonis has considerable experience in chairing PhD dissertations and master thesis and has supervised practicums for teacher candidates, curriculum supervisors, central office personnel, principals, and superintendents. He also has experience in teaching in doctoral and masters programs in elementary and secondary education as well as educational leadership and supervision. He has earned the rank as professor at three universities in two states, including successful post-tenure reviews. See: www.nationalforum.com
This document discusses the negative impacts of educational disadvantage on students. Research shows students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to struggle during and after schooling, having lower attendance, achievement, and attainment. While debates exist around the causes of the link between socioeconomic status and educational outcomes, studies consistently find adverse effects for disadvantaged students compared to their peers in areas like attendance, achievement and attainment. The document examines research on these impacts both generally and in the Australian context.
This policy paper discusses strategies for rescuing failing public schools. It outlines that strong leadership is key to turning around low-performing schools. While reform strategies are well-documented, implementing them at scale remains challenging due to human factors. The paper examines experiences in West Virginia in the 1990s-2000s that demonstrated the need to first establish order, clean the school environment, and raise expectations before improving instruction. Technology-based solutions were also employed to boost math achievement.
Similar to Green, ronny rethinking in the third millennium nfeasj v30 n4 2012 (20)
Reimagining Your Library Space: How to Increase the Vibes in Your Library No ...Diana Rendina
Librarians are leading the way in creating future-ready citizens – now we need to update our spaces to match. In this session, attendees will get inspiration for transforming their library spaces. You’ll learn how to survey students and patrons, create a focus group, and use design thinking to brainstorm ideas for your space. We’ll discuss budget friendly ways to change your space as well as how to find funding. No matter where you’re at, you’ll find ideas for reimagining your space in this session.
How to Fix the Import Error in the Odoo 17Celine George
An import error occurs when a program fails to import a module or library, disrupting its execution. In languages like Python, this issue arises when the specified module cannot be found or accessed, hindering the program's functionality. Resolving import errors is crucial for maintaining smooth software operation and uninterrupted development processes.
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering.pptxDenish Jangid
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering
Syllabus
Chapter-1
Introduction to objective, scope and outcome the subject
Chapter 2
Introduction: Scope and Specialization of Civil Engineering, Role of civil Engineer in Society, Impact of infrastructural development on economy of country.
Chapter 3
Surveying: Object Principles & Types of Surveying; Site Plans, Plans & Maps; Scales & Unit of different Measurements.
Linear Measurements: Instruments used. Linear Measurement by Tape, Ranging out Survey Lines and overcoming Obstructions; Measurements on sloping ground; Tape corrections, conventional symbols. Angular Measurements: Instruments used; Introduction to Compass Surveying, Bearings and Longitude & Latitude of a Line, Introduction to total station.
Levelling: Instrument used Object of levelling, Methods of levelling in brief, and Contour maps.
Chapter 4
Buildings: Selection of site for Buildings, Layout of Building Plan, Types of buildings, Plinth area, carpet area, floor space index, Introduction to building byelaws, concept of sun light & ventilation. Components of Buildings & their functions, Basic concept of R.C.C., Introduction to types of foundation
Chapter 5
Transportation: Introduction to Transportation Engineering; Traffic and Road Safety: Types and Characteristics of Various Modes of Transportation; Various Road Traffic Signs, Causes of Accidents and Road Safety Measures.
Chapter 6
Environmental Engineering: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Acts and Regulations, Functional Concepts of Ecology, Basics of Species, Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Hydrological Cycle; Chemical Cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen & Phosphorus; Energy Flow in Ecosystems.
Water Pollution: Water Quality standards, Introduction to Treatment & Disposal of Waste Water. Reuse and Saving of Water, Rain Water Harvesting. Solid Waste Management: Classification of Solid Waste, Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Solid. Recycling of Solid Waste: Energy Recovery, Sanitary Landfill, On-Site Sanitation. Air & Noise Pollution: Primary and Secondary air pollutants, Harmful effects of Air Pollution, Control of Air Pollution. . Noise Pollution Harmful Effects of noise pollution, control of noise pollution, Global warming & Climate Change, Ozone depletion, Greenhouse effect
Text Books:
1. Palancharmy, Basic Civil Engineering, McGraw Hill publishers.
2. Satheesh Gopi, Basic Civil Engineering, Pearson Publishers.
3. Ketki Rangwala Dalal, Essentials of Civil Engineering, Charotar Publishing House.
4. BCP, Surveying volume 1
Strategies for Effective Upskilling is a presentation by Chinwendu Peace in a Your Skill Boost Masterclass organisation by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan on 08th and 09th June 2024 from 1 PM to 3 PM on each day.
This presentation was provided by Steph Pollock of The American Psychological Association’s Journals Program, and Damita Snow, of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for the initial session of NISO's 2024 Training Series "DEIA in the Scholarly Landscape." Session One: 'Setting Expectations: a DEIA Primer,' was held June 6, 2024.
How to Setup Warehouse & Location in Odoo 17 InventoryCeline George
In this slide, we'll explore how to set up warehouses and locations in Odoo 17 Inventory. This will help us manage our stock effectively, track inventory levels, and streamline warehouse operations.
LAND USE LAND COVER AND NDVI OF MIRZAPUR DISTRICT, UPRAHUL
This Dissertation explores the particular circumstances of Mirzapur, a region located in the
core of India. Mirzapur, with its varied terrains and abundant biodiversity, offers an optimal
environment for investigating the changes in vegetation cover dynamics. Our study utilizes
advanced technologies such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote sensing to
analyze the transformations that have taken place over the course of a decade.
The complex relationship between human activities and the environment has been the focus
of extensive research and worry. As the global community grapples with swift urbanization,
population expansion, and economic progress, the effects on natural ecosystems are becoming
more evident. A crucial element of this impact is the alteration of vegetation cover, which plays a
significant role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of our planet.Land serves as the foundation for all human activities and provides the necessary materials for
these activities. As the most crucial natural resource, its utilization by humans results in different
'Land uses,' which are determined by both human activities and the physical characteristics of the
land.
The utilization of land is impacted by human needs and environmental factors. In countries
like India, rapid population growth and the emphasis on extensive resource exploitation can lead
to significant land degradation, adversely affecting the region's land cover.
Therefore, human intervention has significantly influenced land use patterns over many
centuries, evolving its structure over time and space. In the present era, these changes have
accelerated due to factors such as agriculture and urbanization. Information regarding land use and
cover is essential for various planning and management tasks related to the Earth's surface,
providing crucial environmental data for scientific, resource management, policy purposes, and
diverse human activities.
Accurate understanding of land use and cover is imperative for the development planning
of any area. Consequently, a wide range of professionals, including earth system scientists, land
and water managers, and urban planners, are interested in obtaining data on land use and cover
changes, conversion trends, and other related patterns. The spatial dimensions of land use and
cover support policymakers and scientists in making well-informed decisions, as alterations in
these patterns indicate shifts in economic and social conditions. Monitoring such changes with the
help of Advanced technologies like Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems is
crucial for coordinated efforts across different administrative levels. Advanced technologies like
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
9
Changes in vegetation cover refer to variations in the distribution, composition, and overall
structure of plant communities across different temporal and spatial scales. These changes can
occur natural.
Green, ronny rethinking in the third millennium nfeasj v30 n4 2012
1. NATIONAL FORUM OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION JOURNAL
VOLUME 30, NUMBER 4, 2012
1
Rethinking Leadership in the Third Millennium
Ronny Green, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
College of Education
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA
Lantry L. Brockmeier, PhD
Professor
Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
College of Education
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA
Rudo Tsemunhu, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
College of Education
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA
E-Ling Hsiao, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
College of Education
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA
James G. Archibald, PhD, LPC
Assistant Professor
Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
College of Education
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA
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Abstract
The purpose of this article was to examine some of the practices that have prevented substantive
educational change and explore how change can be facilitated. Three factors that prevent
meaningful school changes (thinking, beliefs, and the values of schooling) were discussed and
analyzed through an educator’s lenses. The literature indicates that while school organizations
have changed, school leaders are still using leadership and management performance tools of the
past and calls for school leaders and other educators to rethink new effective and efficient
leadership strategies to improve student achievement and school performance. Strategies to
achieve meaningful school change are discussed.
Keywords: rethinking leadership, school performance, student achievement, school
optimization, school optimization, schools as systems.
______________________________________________________________________________
Rethinking Leadership in the Third Millennium
Schools should be better than they are currently. On that point, almost everyone is in
agreement. Beyond that show of unanimity, opinions diverge very quickly. One group goes in
search of the cause of the problem. Each part of that group places the blame in a different place.
Another group goes off looking for a solution and each faction has its own panacea du jour that
will set things straight once and for all, in spite of the fact that we all realize there are no easy
solutions for our problems. Another group searches for reasons why schooling cannot be
improved. The final group’s members wring their hands and forecast the end of life as we know
it because of the horrible state of schooling.
A considerable proportion of those who are vocal about schools yearn for a return to the
good old days. They seem to believe that things were just about perfect when they were in
school. Our selective memories do work wonders with our childhood experiences. Yesterday’s
schools do not hold the solution to the problems of today and tomorrow. How do we know that?
Because we still have yesterday’s schools operating all around us. Certainly, many of them look
different today, with new buildings and a profusion of computers, but the processes of schooling
have not changed. Schools are still organized like they have been for the last century or so.
School administrators still perform the same kinds of tasks as they did then, and teachers still
teach like they were taught. The appearance of change is there. Things do not look or sound the
same. We have new words for those old ideas. But the basic unit of school is still the classroom.
While it may look different, many of the same pedagogical practices are still being practiced
going on there. Until classroom practices and processes change, schooling will not be
significantly different, and the results of schooling will not be different.
3. RONNY GREEN, LANTRY L. BROCKMEIER, RUDO TSEMUNHU, E-LING HSIAO, JAMES G.
ARCHIBALD
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Purpose of the Article
How can the classroom be changed for the better? School leaders must allow change,
encourage it, plan for it, and facilitate it. Everyone involved in schooling must undergo major
changes in the thinking, the beliefs, and the values of schooling. The purpose of this article is to
examine some of the practices that have prevented substantive educational change and then
discuss how change can be facilitated.
A Problem of Thinking
The barriers to improved student achievement and school performance are reflections of
the limits set by natural forces that govern individual and organizational performance. These
limits are in turn magnified when we operate in poorly designed, low-synergy systems using
leadership tools that are inappropriate for the intended job and operating environment (Green,
2003).
Historical Precedents for Leadership
During the early 1900s, most American school buildings were of the little red
schoolhouse design. Soon schools were evolving in size and numbers of student enrollments.
These changes encouraged educational leaders to search for a state of the art design on which to
organize schools. Henry Ford provided just what they needed (Treacy & Wiersema, 1995). A
design for mass production, the assembly line, was adapted by educational leaders to address the
need of educating an increasing number of students in centralized locations (Senge, 2000).
Mechanization with its model of centralized power and control ruled the day (Hock, 1997).
Was this a good choice? Yes. This total commitment to what was then a powerful new
design was justified. Mechanization did for American schools what it had done for American
industry. At its introduction the average American had a third grade education. This average
increased to eight years in a five-year period (Ackoff, 1994). One could argue that the chosen
design certainly was not the only contributing factor; however, the experience produced a
successful educational product that early into the third millennium we continue to organize our
schools using tools designed for assembly line and mass production (Schlechty, 1990). The
educators of the early 1900s were using a design of unquestionable sophistication with a
performance potential that seemed to have no upper limit. The functional goal of the 1900s
educators was not ‘effectiveness’ as much as it was ‘efficiency’ (Ackoff, 1994; Schroeder,
1995). The mantra for education was not ‘to improve,’ but ‘to repair.’
School managers were aware that the newly adapted system contained a great deal of
unrealized performance potential. Probably the thought of looking for a more sophisticated
system did not cross the minds of most people. Managers were hell bent on trying to optimize
their new wonder system. They elected to put all their energy into trying to realize the full
potential of the new system. This was a worthy choice, as no viable competitor was known to
exist.
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Optimization
In general, schools became optimized without any fanfare. In the waning years of the
1900s, the public gradually came to the realization that our school systems were optimized
(Branson, 1988; Browne, 2002). Although not that unusual, it may seem strange how those
educators closest to the problem of proper tool use had the most difficulty seeing what tool to
use.
Educational leaders were unaware that school systems for all practical purposes became
optimized. Some educators are to this day unaware they are working with optimized systems.
Unconsciously they continue using management repair tools to get more performance from an
optimized system when leadership improvement tools are needed. What was once a
management task of using the right tools has evolved into a situation where educators have a new
leadership task and are using the wrong tools.
In systems thinking every system has a performance range. Within this performance
range there is a point where the system is producing the most performance/work for the least
amount of energy consumed. The system is optimized. In mechanical systems (automobiles for
example) once the system exceeds this narrow optimized performance range the system requires
ever-increasing amounts of energy per unit for proportionately smaller gains per unit of input. As
the system moves beyond this optimized zone it progressively deteriorates (entropy).
This same phenomenon has been observed in human athletics (a biological system).
Athletes have been known to refer to this optimization as being in the zone. In humans unlike
mechanical and social systems there is a mental or psychological element to this experience.
Csikszentmihalyi (1994, p.xi) describes “flow” in psychological terms as the point at which a
person is engaged in an activity creating an optimal personal experience. In humans, this
optimization is characterized by joy, creativity, and total involvement.
Let us take an automobile example. Suppose an individual has an almost new 1930 Ford
Model A, which travels the most miles per gallon of gas at 37 miles per hour. At this speed one
can drive it from Florida to California with few mechanical worries knowing they are getting the
most performance for the least amount of energy per unit. Now say they get impatient with their
speed. As they increase speed they disproportionately increase the energy consumption per mile
traveled. They decide to drive the Model A Ford at top speed the entire trip. They put the pedal
to the metal. What happens? By pushing the car beyond its zone, costs mount. The car’s energy
use skyrockets in proportion to the amount of work the car (system) accomplishes. The closer it
gets to the system’s maximum performance limit, the more chaos is created. This actually
accelerates the destruction of the system.
School systems came on line at the same time as the Model A Ford. The choice was
either to replace the Model A with a completely new modern car or continue to repair the old
design. This is the condition of most schools. Schools have long passed through their
performance zone and are now requiring progressively more energy to obtain smaller gains in
performance. They are optimized and suffering from the effects of entropy (Capra, 1996).
Educators have continued successfully with this optimization process to this day and have in
fact, optimized Mr. Ford’s system. Educators continue to assume that the optimized education
system has unrealized performance potential. They in turn are led to believe that their
responsibility is to keep school systems in good repair. This lack of awareness is in no small part
due to the cloaking ability of the current system’s mental model (Green, 2003; Koffman, 1992).
5. RONNY GREEN, LANTRY L. BROCKMEIER, RUDO TSEMUNHU, E-LING HSIAO, JAMES G.
ARCHIBALD
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Repair and Improvement
Confused about the difference between repair and improvement? This difference is the
essence of the need for a change in school leadership tools. For the purpose of this paper, repair
will refer to efforts made allowing the system to perform up to its design limit. Improvement
will refer to the complete replacement of the system’s design with a design featuring a higher
performance limit (Deming & Ackoff, 1990; Rodríguez & Casas, 2012).
It is easy to be confused about the difference between repair and improvement when one
thinks about the performance of a system. Suppose your car has worn out spark plugs and is
performing below its design potential. If you replace the old spark plugs with new plugs, the car
will function like new. Did you repair it or improve it? It ran better, so it must be improved,
right? Or did you repair it allowing the car to perform in a manner consistent with its design
potential? For the purposes of this article, the authors will use their operational definition for a
system and claim they repaired the car.
Schools are systems. In education it is important to distinguish between the need to repair
and the need to improve. Depending on the desired outcome, the choice of leadership tools is
critical to success. In some cases, educators are using inappropriately some very powerful
leadership tools based on natural forces.
Humans as Tool Users
Humans are tool users. The two are inseparable (Senge, 1994). Even their bodies are
tools. Life requires that they either knowingly or unknowingly facilitate energy flow as a
prerequisite to living, working, and improving their conditions. Student achievement and school
performance are a reflection of the performance potential inherent in the tools provided to school
personnel and how they are used. Understanding the capabilities of various tools and their use is
at the heart of any learning about individual and organizational performance.
School leaders are currently using ‘hand me down’ performance tools to improve
schools. They have been used and passed down from leader to leader over the decades.
Rethinking the appropriateness of performance tools for the purposes of school improvement is
long overdue.
Energy Wasters
Tools are neither good nor bad. Tools may or may not be effective/efficient depending
on the task and the conditions under which the tools are applied. It would be absurd to use a
screwdriver to hammer a large nail into a thick oak plank. It may be possible to accomplish the
job but the energy cost would be high. This is a case where the choice to use an excellent tool
inappropriately results in a waste of limited energy. Leadership performance tools are most
effective when they leverage human energy, not when they waste human energy and reduce
productivity.
Unfortunately, the bad news is that many current leadership tools are no longer the best
choices for improving individual and organizational performance. In fact, some are very costly
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as they reduce performance even when used as directed. The good news is that new, more
powerful leadership tools are now available for free.
Complementary Actions
If leaders want to improve individual and organizational performance, they must take
complementary actions. There are many excellent leadership tools appropriate for carrying out
the school leadership/management tasks; however, leaders need to stop using some old
leadership tools and at the same time start using other high leverage leadership tools.
Suppose an individual decides to improve their health. They started eating nutritionally
sound meals and walking two miles each day. In general, we would all agree with the approach
to improving their personal health; however, at the same time they continued a long-term heavy
smoking habit. For best results the individual needs to take complementary actions. Continuing
to be a heavy smoker is counterproductive to their intent and reduces the impact of the positive
benefits to their system.
This is analogous to the condition of schools. To meet optimum improvement levels,
leaders need to quit using some inappropriate “energy wasting” tools that tear down schools and
at the same time start using other tools that facilitate energy flow.
Energy Wasting Tools
Great amounts of energy are wasted when leaders apply tools, based on the products of
analysis, to optimize systems for the purposes of improvement. The waste of energy is
compounded when competent teachers are placed in autocratic systems.
Analytical Tools
Analytical tools include job descriptions, competency lists, performance appraisal
instruments, practices and programs (used for staff development/improvement content), school
improvement plans, problem solving strategies, supervision strategies, and static organization
charts. During the life of the current education system, educators have created these and a host
of other analytical management tools all designed to repair dysfunctional school systems. These
tools are effective only if the intent is to repair the existing system, allowing it to perform
optimally within its design limits. These same tools become energy wasters if they are intended
to improve an existing system beyond its performance design limits. Analysis destroys a
system’s essential nature (Ackoff, 2003).
Ackoff (2003) contends that characteristics of proper uses for analytical tools include the
following:
Using products of analysis to manage people/organization performance.
Relying on staff development based on analytical products.
Featuring practices and programs for staff development content.
Applying a pattern of management and supervision to maintain/improve
performance.
7. RONNY GREEN, LANTRY L. BROCKMEIER, RUDO TSEMUNHU, E-LING HSIAO, JAMES G.
ARCHIBALD
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Assuming individuals and organizations operate in stable environments.
Believing analytical tools can be effectively used for improvement.
Analytical tools and solutions are all products of the application of analysis (Deming &
Ackoff, 1990). In analysis, the manager breaks down the problem into small manageable parts
and works on the identified parts. If we think about it, 100 percent of the practices in schools in
the early years of the third millennium operate exclusively on the analytical model. Almost
every single practice and program was born as a result of analysis.
Management development programs are all products of breaking down a known task or
problem and creating an antidote (staff development) to the identified concern or problem.
Principal and teacher staff development programs are products of analysis (Collins, 1997). An
analyst’s task is to break down a specific task (whole), into teachable parts (practices – skills,
competencies, dimensions, behaviors, etc.). It is assumed that analyzed practices can be
identified, taught, and replicated by staff developers. Of course, this is not true, but it sounds
rational.
An analysis is a fixed product of one point in time, but school environments are
constantly changing. Practices and programs become outdated quickly and need to be updated
frequently. Staff development is the key to maintaining analytical performance tools at some
level of usefulness. Staff development is based upon analysis of a constant environment and
content is designed accordingly.
There are more problems with using just the analytical model. Not only is the
environment changing, but also the rate of change is accelerating. The accelerated rate of change
in schools does not allow schools enough time to effectively update their analytical products and
provide staff development for personnel. Because funds are always limited, the process of
updating practices and programs is always playing catch up for expressed needs. Updating and
training requires time and funds. The cycle is endless, and schools, as they say, are always “a
day late and a dollar short.”
Analytical products are designed for stable environments. In order to efficiently
implement analytical products, managers blindly assume three things. First, they assume all
employees with the same job title have the same responsibilities. Second, they assume employee
performance is unrelated to the unique work environment of the individual. Finally, managers
assume that employees work in stable environments. In general, schools are anything but stable
(factory like). In addition, principals, teachers, and students are assumed to be uniform in their
nature. These assumptions are severely flawed but essential if analytical products are to appear
rational (Senge, 2000). Even an excellent analysis is flawed. If it were possible for an analysis to
be perfect, it would only be good for the day on which it was conducted based on findings for
that point in time.
Analytical information does not and cannot inform us how to improve the system’s
performance beyond its design limits. For example, a school improvement plan is an oxymoron.
The plan is based on analysis of school products at a single point in time. It cannot focus
performance efforts beyond the original design capability. Why? When the process of analysis
is applied to a system the products of the process can be used to create powerful diagnostic tools.
There is an unseen down side to this process. Products of the analytical process lose their ability
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to facilitate energy flow. These products become nearly useless when used inappropriately as
improvement tools.
Analysis is the world’s most powerful repair tool, not an improvement tool. The
appropriate application of the products of analysis for purposes of improvement may be the
single greatest thinking error made by most current school leaders.
High Leverage Leadership Tools
Natural forces govern all processes in the universe. These include biological, chemical,
mechanical, physical, quantum, and social processes. Organizations came into existence when it
was learned two or more persons cooperating could potentially accomplish more work than two
or more persons working alone. Humans discovered synergy, a natural force, before they
discovered fire. Synergy is the driving force behind increased performance (Covey, 1989).
Schools are living synergistic social systems and subject to these natural forces. Whether
leaders are aware or unaware of their existence, natural forces govern individual and school
performance. When leaders make choices consistent with natural forces, performance is
facilitated. In turn, choices not aligned with these forces reduce performance. Being aware of
these natural forces provides leaders access to powerful new leadership improvement tools. It has
always been this way. This is not new.
Natural Forces Tools
Natural forces tools include natural laws that govern organizational performance. These
also include mental models used by leaders at every level (student, parent, teacher, principal,
etc.), practical knowledge of how systems work, practical knowledge of how structure design
influences individual/organizational performance and the impact of various environments on
learning as related to performance (de Gues, 1997).
De Gues (1997) explains that natural forces tools are based on the following
understandings and actions:
Using natural forces that govern individual and organization performance.
Relying on learning.
Featuring natural laws, mental models, systems thinking, and structure design.
Applying a pattern of leadership at all levels.
Being aware that natural forces operate in stable and unstable environments.
Recognizing natural forces can be effectively used as tools to facilitate improved
performance.
9. RONNY GREEN, LANTRY L. BROCKMEIER, RUDO TSEMUNHU, E-LING HSIAO, JAMES G.
ARCHIBALD
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Natural law. Natural laws govern the behavior of all energy (material and non-material)
in the universe (Smith, 1994). These laws operate consistently, but operate relative to the
environment that contains them. Smith states that Natural laws have discipline and built-in-
consequences if violated. Natural laws are not made by humans - they are a part of nature. All
systems are governed by natural laws, including mechanical, biological, and social systems
(schools, for our purposes).
The performance of all systems is contingent on energy flow, which operates within the
limits set by natural laws. By operating consistently with natural laws, the school leader can
improve a school system’s performance and, conversely, can reduce the system’s performance
by violating these laws (Smith, 1994).
The key to performance is to know, to be aware of these natural laws and operate from
this state of knowing. If an individual was to climb up to the roof of a house and step off, what
would happen? They would fall to the ground. The natural law in this case is gravity, and the
discipline would be the impact of the individual’s body hitting the ground. Consider what would
happen if an individual cupped their hands and moved their arms up and down as fast as they
could and then stepped off the roof. Again, they would fall to the ground. What if they could
speak five languages and were a powerful political leader? They would still fall to the ground.
Are there ways to use gravity to our advantage? Yes. Think about using falling water to
generate electricity. Gravity may be one of the first natural laws humans become familiar with.
Just observe a toddler. Human beings can learn whatever they need in nature because they are
part of nature. People are part of creation that lives by the same laws as all of nature (Schaef,
1995).
Mental Model
A mental model is an inefficient device one uses to make sense out of a chaotic universe
(Green, 2003). Without the use of mental models, one becomes dysfunctional. Humans come
hard-wired for certain functions and characteristics. They also come with the capacity to be
programmed to learn from experience and the capacity to reprogram them. Mental models
determine the way a person thinks about the world. This way of thinking is key to a person’s
ability to operate efficiently and effectively both individually and collectively.
No mental model is perfect (Koffman, 1992). All mental models currently employed are
at the same time more effective and less effective than other mental models that are currently in
use or exist as a possibility. The key to individual and organization learning is to constantly
replace less effective mental models with more effective mental models. Examples may include
moving from over powering competent workers vs. empowering competent workers. Another
example is the idea of delegating work methods to competent workers vs. negotiating worker
outcomes allowing the competent workers to select work methods.
Living Synergistic Social Systems
There are mechanical systems, biological systems and social systems (Ackoff, 1994).
Schools are social systems. They are in fact an extraordinary type of social system described as a
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living synergistic social system. A living synergistic system has the ability to create the
conditions for its own existence. Like all systems living synergistic social systems cannot be
separated into parts and maintain their essential character. Living synergistic social systems are
thinking systems. Their ability to facilitate energy flow is a result of all the parts of the system
functioning as a whole. Wholeness, thinking, and creativity are all attributes that exist only
when all the parts of a living synergistic social system are viable and supportive of each other.
Living synergistic social systems are products of the synergy that results from the interactions
that create their wholeness. The essential nature and almost all of the value of a living synergistic
social system (as with all systems) resides in its synergy-producing interactions and not in its
parts (Ackoff, 1994). The attributes of a living synergistic system have great consequences for
significantly increasing student achievement. Leaders must focus on the wholeness of the
systems they facilitate versus managing the parts of the systems. Managing the parts of a living
synergistic system, no matter how well intended, reduces performances.
Structure
Organizations (means) are designed to accomplish tasks (ends) that cannot be performed
by one individual. Every organization has an inherent design. In most cases, the designs of
existing organizations have evolved over time (de Gues, 1995). Typically, unconscious design
choices are primarily responsible for organizations now in place.
Natural forces include natural law, mental models, systems thinking, and structure. These
natural forces cannot be separated. It is difficult to tell where one begins and the other ends. This
is the nature of wholes. Humans make choices about structures; then these same structures
determine the behavior of the humans who work in those structures. Winston Churchill was
quoted to say, “First we define our structures, and then they define us.”
The structure of an organization is influenced and is a product of all the elements in the
organization and the organization’s environment interacting. Some examples of the elements are
as follow:
people (and all the things that go with being human)
the decision-making process, methods of conflict resolution, and competence of
workers
contracts, rules, and hiring practices
communication methods
customer needs
organizational history and environmental demands.
Every element that contributes to an organization has an effect on the organization.
Structures can be a product of self-organization and are unique (Pinchot & Pinchot, 1994;
Wheatley, 1994). Although organizations can have similar structures, it is easy to see that no two
are identical. Structure is more important for organizational success than the differences in
individual qualities among various leaders. When placed in the same system (structure), people,
however different, tend to produce similar results (Senge, 1990).
11. RONNY GREEN, LANTRY L. BROCKMEIER, RUDO TSEMUNHU, E-LING HSIAO, JAMES G.
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New Tools, New Possibilities
Human beings are thinking biological systems (Dewey, 1991). They have replicated this
thinking ability in the form of a machine called ‘computer’. The creation of the computer
(thinking machine) has greatly expanded the number of sophisticated tools available for use.
These new tools have allowed us to accomplish things we could only dream about decades ago.
The same potential applies to the discovery (in some cases rediscovery) of the natural forces that
govern individual and organization performance.
What is one to do when everything has changed? Based on previous studies (Senge,
1990; Wheatley, 1994) here are three suggested actions that will provide schools with necessary
changes in system composition and improvement tools:
Political leaders need to remove statutory laws that support the use of analytical
products and autocratic control structures.
Universities and support agencies need to use their resources to discover and
share natural forces that govern individual and organizational performance as
related to their environments.
School leaders need to stop using tools designed to repair optimized systems in
ever changing environments when improvement tools are needed.
Above all, school leaders need to operate in the thinking mode. They must be proactive
vs. reactive (Covey, 1989). They must always question their practices and examine their
structures to see if they are taking contradictory actions. Are they using a screwdriver when a
hammer would be more appropriate? They must realize that “We’ve always done it this way” is
not an adequate reason to continue to do it this way. We have a choice.
References
Ackoff, R. (1994). From mechanistic to social systemic thinking [Cassette Recording]. Waltham,
MA: Pegasus Communications.
Ackoff, R. (2003). Redesigning society. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Branson, R. (1988). Why schools can’t improve. Tallahassee, FL: Center for Performance
Technology, Florida State University.
Browne, T. (2002). Organizational change in the 21st century. Futurics, 26, 3-4.
Capra, F. (1996). The web of life. New York, NY: Anchor Books.
Collins, D. (1997). Achieving your vision of professional development. Greensboro, NC:
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Covey, S. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people, New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
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Deming, W., & Ackoff, R. (1990). A theory of a system for educators and managers.
Washington, DC: CC-M Productions.
Dewey, J. (1991). How we think. Mineola, NY: Dover Books.
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de Gues, A. (1995). Infrastructure and its impact on organization success [Cassette Recording].
Waltham, MS: Pegasus Communications.
de Gues, A. (1997). The living company. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
Green, R. (2003). Natural forces. Tallahassee, TN: Educational Services Consortium.
Hock, D. (1997). The rise of chaordic organizations [Cassette Recording]. Waltham, MS:
Pegasus Communications.
Koffman, F. (1992). Double loop accounting [Cassette Recording]. Waltham, MS: Pegasus
Communications.
Pinchot, G., & Pinchot, E. (1994). The intelligent organization. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-
Koehler Publishers.
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