Beyond School Improvement: The Journey to Innovative Leadership

Because the world is constantly evolving, school improvement alone is not enough to prepare students for success in the 21st century. Educators also need to be innovators who nurture a culture of both improvement and innovation.

Based on complexity theory, systems thinking, innovation theory and years of practical experience, Beyond School Improvement prepares school leaders to connect with the new science on change and provides skills, practices, and tools for creating and leading dynamic educational systems. The authors discuss four elements of change-dissonance, identity, information, and order-and define five essential practices for leaders, consisting of

Holding courageous conversations

Embracing dissonance

Creating context

Changing your field of vision

Letting ideas collide

Self-assessment activities, team conversation starters, stories, and examples support leaders as they balance improvement and innovation within themselves, their classrooms, and their organizations.