The purpose of the study was to examine the differences among significant changes in the practice of individual teachers. Seventeen US teachers were interviewed about the most successful change in their teaching career. The differences in teacher change were based primarily on the source and impact of the change. The sources of change were divided…

This article focuses on support for teacher leadership using a model adapted from the HertsCam teacher Led Development Work programme. It explores the question of the limitations of 'policy borrowing' but addresses this in a way which reveals a great deal about the potential links between teacher leadership and emancipation. Programmes to support…

This study investigates the effectiveness of a solution-focused approach to organisational change. Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) is an intervention more commonly applied to individuals. In this study the intervention is used with groups of people working in educational organisations to help manage the change process. The approach…

Bob Monroig smiles every day on his way to work at Lake Washington Technical College (LWTC), high atop a hill overlooking the affluent Seattle suburb of Kirkland, Washington. He's created his own job within a job, where he's the Harley-Davidson University program coordinator and tenured faculty in the Motorcycle, Marine, & Power Equipment…

This article presents an interview with Sir John Daniel outgoing President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning. Sir John Daniel's term as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) ended on May 31, 2012. Readers of "Distance Education" will know of Sir John's work at the Tele-universite (Directeur des…

In this article, the author features the George Lucas Education Foundation (GLEF) and its Edutopia initiatives. The George Lucas Educational Foundation, the 19-year-old organization that runs Edutopia, has given itself a mission to "spread the word about ideal, interactive learning environments and enable others to adapt these successes locally."…

This article explores students' potential to make a difference to their school through a Students as Researchers programme. It begins by discussing the impetus for the current increase in student voice initiatives in schools. It continues the debate around issues of student empowerment and students' identity as change agents through an analysis of…

When the five-member Board of the Alameda Unified School District selected Kirsten Vital as the new superintendent in 2009, they chose someone from outside their tight-knit community. Board Trustee Margie Sherratt thought Vital was chosen to "get us moving," to be a change agent on closing the achievement gap. Vital, in her initial…

While many people may not realize that the words they speak may offend, carelessly used words can indeed lead to hurt, discrimination, and, on occasion, violence. Hate crimes occur all too frequently, even on college campuses--places which should be designed to be open and accepting. The role of educators and student leaders is to raise…

Considers external factors that hamper reading program effectiveness. Suggests that reading teachers learn about the groups with whom they work--fellow teachers, community, administrators--and become innovative change agents to ensure that the reading program is successful. (RL)

Reviews the initial management development component of an organizational change strategy to "Make General Management Work." Evaluates the success of the workshop in linking management and organizational development. (JOW)

The implications of two studies of federal education projects, the Rand change agent study by Berman and McLaughlin (1975) and a study of 53 teacher centers by Mertens and Yarger (1981), are discussed in the context of developing continuous inservice teacher education. (FG)

Proceedings of a conference designed to provide a group of teachers, administrators and university professors with an opportunity to share information on initiating and sustaining innovative programs in education are summarized in this paper. The participants represented 21 exemplary programs in mathematics, science, and/or computer education as…

The U.S. Office of Education's National Diffusion Network is designed to transport and systematically promote the adoption of validated innovative programs throughout the nation. The 13 case studies in this publication are intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the state facilitator effort and accurately represent the range and diversity…

The author contrasts two experiences (one successful, one unsuccessful) that he, as a consultant, had in implementing organizational development programs in two settings: a federal agency and a community college. Briefly discusses factors for consultants to consider when making decisions about which kinds of organizational development assignments…