School Improvement Leadership: Change-Process Model

Question 1

Fullan (1982, 1991) proposed that there are four broad phases in the change process:

Answer 1

Initiation, Implementation, Continuation, and Outcome.

Question 2

Factors that affect the initiation phase of change process: (5)

Answer 2

1. existence and quality of innovations (do teachers actually have innovations that they can see being used), 2. access to innovations (trainings that match access to equipment),
2. advocacy from central admin,
3. teacher advocacy (key thought leaders who are using it and speak positively about it),
4. external change agents (changes in laws and procedures that need to be followed).

Question 3

Factors that affect the implementation phase of change process: (3)

Answer 3

1. Characteristics of change (need of change, clarity about goals and needs, complexity and extent of change—if radically different then less likely to change, quality and practicality of the program),
2. local factors (district or LEA, community, principal, teacher),
3. external factors (government and other agencies)

Question 4

Continuation is a decision about institutionalization of an innovation based on the reaction to the change, which may be negative or positive. It depends on whether or not: (3)

Answer 4

1. the change gets embedded/built into the structure (through policy/budget/timetable),
2. the change has generated a critical mass of admin or teachers who are skilled in and committed to it,
3. the change has established procedures for continuing assistance.

Question 5

Positive or successful outcome (Fullan): (3)

Answer 5

1. Active initiation and participation, pressure, support and negotiation (if outside or inside pressure more likely to be successful),
2. changes in skills, thinking, and committed actions (new skills and expectations),
3. overriding the problem of ownership (it is just how we do this at our school)