Getting Serious About the System: A Fieldbook for District and School Leaders

For many districts, the improvement process can seem like trying to nail Jello to a wall. This fieldbook shows how to avoid a haphazard approach to school improvement by focusing on all aspects of the system and on specific issues that have the most impact upon student achievement. This multidimensional process also entails increasing the competencies of everyone involved and implementing solutions districtwide. The authors outline a proven framework and offer step-by-step guidance for addressing the essential components and competencies of the local educational system. Key strategies include:

• Concentrating on aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment to state and Common Core State Standards
• Working on the underlying issues and people that impact the system
• Garnering support from all staff members to maximize time, resources, and energy

Companion Book: A Teacher's Guide for Getting Serious About the System

Authors: D'Ette Cowan, Stacey Joyner, Shirley Beckwith
Price: $19.95 from Amazon.com
• Published: 2012    • 96 pages

It takes a community of educators to improve a school—a community that includes administrators and teachers in different, but equally important, roles. In this brief companion book to Getting Serious About the System: A Fieldbook for District and School Leaders, teachers will get the background and see exactly where they or other stakeholders fit in the process of implementing solutions system-wide. Topics include the following:

• The research behind the Working Systematically approach, which focuses on healthy organizational cultures, professional development, innovation, and accountability
• The goals of the approach, which include addressing components and competencies at all levels
• A five-phase process for implementing a systemic improvement plan at the district, school, and classroom levels