Benefits of Systemic Change

A big benefit to be gained from the systemic change approach is involvement of players from throughout the system from the start of the initiative. When stakeholders from all functional areas of the organization focus on how the future could be different from the past, when they draw out the implications of these changes for their organizational mission, goals, structure, functioning, and implementation plans, they are more likely to want to make the resulting plan work.

This section includes the results of research into the benefits of systemic change and provides links to national networks of schools engaged in systemic change.

  How effective is systemic change in improving educational outcomes?
  • In a 1989 study, researchers found that schools that used systemic change practices outperformed traditional schools by 30% in mathematics, 24% in reading, 29% in history, and 20% in science (based on the gains in % correct between the 8th and 10th grades.) (Bridging the Gap report of the Educational Commission of the States)

    There are several national networks of schools and districts working with systemic change practices and seeing results. Below is a list of links to the results they have seen.

    •
    Accelerated Schools Project

    http://www-leland.stanford.edu/group/ASP/accomplishments.html

    Accelerated schools have demonstrated that children, irrespective of racial and socioeconomic background, can learn and succeed in school. The implementation of the philosophy and process in schools across the nation has resulted in outcomes such as increased mastery of basic and higher order thinking skills; more innovative and effective curriculum and instructional practices; improved attitudes towards schooling and learning; increased parental involvement; and improved school climate. In addition, the cost of transforming a school into an accelerated school is generally less than 1 percent of the school budget, usually $30-$40 per student per year.
    Association for Effective Schools

    http://www.mes.org
    Education Commission of the States

    http://www.ecs.org/html/educationIssues/ProgressofReform.asp

    The Progress of Education Reform: 1999 - 2001 is designed as a tool for policy makers. addresses the hottest education issues, provides information in a concise and easy-to-read format based on the most recent studies and reports.
    New American Schools Network

    http://www.naschools.org/

    New American Schools designs and the communities in which they are working are measuring success in many ways -- student test scores, teacher retention, safety and discipline incidents, new practices linked to successful student performance, such as team teaching, active and exciting classrooms, hands-on learning and others.
    School Development Program

    http://info.med.yale.edu/comer/research_evaluation/index.html

    School Development Program effects are usually first manifested in the improvement of the school climate, indicated by improved relationships among the adults in the school, better collaboration among staff members, and greater focus on the child as the center of the education process. Research shows that schools in which the SDP guiding principles ("no fault" problem solving, consensus decision making and collaboration) were followed consistently, there was a significantly greater decline in absenteeism and suspension rates compared to the district as a whole. Comparative studies of SDP and non-SDP schools reported significantly higher self-confidence, self-concept, and achievement for SDP students than for non-SDP students.

    In this section:

    Change and Education Change Inventories Education Systemic Change Tools

    In the Toolkit:

    Toolkit Home Page Why Change? Why Technology?
    Planning Policy Curriculum and Assessment
    Community Involvement Facility Planning Funding
    Prof'l and Ldrship Development    
    Last Updated February 14, 2003