Systemic change is an approach which involves players from throughout the system in considering all parts of an organization or group, how change in one area affects another, and how to coordinate change in a system so that it furthers the shared goals and visions. It is closely linked to the concept of continuous improvement, in which people work in a specific process to keep improving their results.

 

In the field of education, systemic change practices offer tools that can help educators and leaders to remain effective in the rapidly changing context described in the Change and Education section of this tool kit. A system in education can range in size from the classroom to the federal level.

This section provides an overview of systemic change in education as well as useful resources that you can use to guide you in developing an action plan for systemic change. The materials in this section are divided into the following categories:

Understanding Systemic Change in Education provides information on the basic components, benefits, and stories of systemic change in schools and districts.

• What is Systemic Change?
• Benefits of Systemic Change

Education Systemic Change Process outlines the various steps, provides resources, discusses various roles in systemic change, and provides guidance on how to overcome obstacles.

• Steps in the Systemic Change Process
• Overcoming Obstacles to Change
• Roles in Systemic Change
• Tools for Continuous Improvement

Education Systemic Change Resources lists and links useful resources for systemic change at the district and school levels as well as in various practices of education.

• Leading Systemic Change
• Governance and Policy
• Standards
• Instruction

In this section:

In the Toolkit: