It is becoming ever more challenging to address the changing landscape faced by California Community Colleges. Change agents strive to implement needed interventions but are often disappointed in the outcomes. However, the literature shows that the odds of successful change increase when interventions align with the organization's culture. The…

In education systems around the world, planners and policymakers are calling for more attention to whole-system improvement. To best address teaching and learning outcomes, teachers and head teachers need whole-system support to build professionalism and improve their practice. The middle tier of education systems, composed of professionals…

To successfully implement Learning Analytics (LA) systems within higher education, we need to engage administrators, faculty, and staff alike. This paper is by and primarily for practitioners. We suggest implementation strategies that consider the human factor in adopting new technologies by analyzing the viability of our Learning Analytics…

This dissertation addresses the dynamic interaction between policies aimed at urban education reform and teachers' role in advancing policy objectives. It examines teacher agency in the context of proposed community and school change by focusing on teacher involvement with policy implementation. It investigates teacher views of their individual…

The study expands reported here Extension education's knowledge regarding characteristics of potential change agents. Graduate students learning to become agricultural Extension educators were studied to determine their definition of a change agent. Participants' cognitive styles were assessed using Kirton's Adaptation-Innovation Inventory to…

Purpose: The intentions of this article are to contribute reflections of an empirical account of working with critical reflection within an organisational development programme, addressing the following questions: What space is there for critical reflection in organisational development? What issues are raised for in-company developers and…

This paper looks at recent trends in Government policy and practice around supporting and involving parents of children with disabilities and special educational needs (SEN) in their care, development and education. In particular, the paper examines the opportunities offered in the Children's Plan ( DCSF, 2007) and "Aiming High" (HM TreasuryDfES,…

A guide for a person attempting to construct his own synthesis for change or diffusion of innovation. (HB)

The module is intended to help educators understand the components of school climate and its influence on the integration of students with handicaps. Three competencies are addressed: (1) to develop an understanding of the concept of school climate, identify its components and analyze its relationship to educational goals; (2) to develop an…

Describes the use of a simulation designed mainly for trainers and educators who want to get others to consider the factors that affect change. The simulation itself is a loosely structured game which introduces participants to the question of what causes change. (Author/LLS)

The National Staff Development Council (NSDC) has won recognition for the field of professional development. Researchers and education change agents acknowledge the importance of professional learning among strategies essential for reforming schools and raising teacher and student performance. The federal government, states, and school districts…

Considers the need for responsible, positive, active leadership for educational change and reassessment of educational objectives. Stresses the need to adopt effective strategies for change rather than merely to espouse unestablished values. (PGD)

A set of key variables the change interventionist might use to improve institutional performance is proposed, and change controlling elements of colleges are identified and discussed. (Author/JEG)

This column briefly describes the Council for Exceptional Children's Political Action Network (CEC-PAN), its activities, and history. The author, the current president of CEC, recounts her personal experience in serving as PAN coordinator for Arizona and in lobbying members of Congress. (DB)

The High School Self-Renewal Program offers a method for defining and solving school problems. (Author)