The Technology Factor: Nine Keys to Student Achievement and Cost ...

8 Chapter 2: The Case for Radical Change
Magnitude of Change and Impact on
Stakeholders
From School Leadership That Works, McREL, 2005
“Magnitude of change refers not to the size of the change but rather the
implications of the change for those who are expected to implement it or
will be affected by it. ...It is important to note that the magnitude of
change lies in the eye of the beholder and that the same change may have
different implications for different stakeholders. Our research suggests that
leaders need to understand whether changes are first- or second-order for
staff members and differentiate their leadership styles accordingly.”
First-Order Change Second-Order Change
An extension of the past A break with the past
Consistent with prevailing
organizational norms
Inconsistent with prevailing
organizational norms
Congruent with personal values Incongruent with personal values
Easily learned using existing
knowledge Requires new knowledge and skills
School Leadership That Works, McREL, 2005.
The Technology Factor: Nine Keys to Student Achievement and Cost-Effectiveness
A Case Study of Second-Order Change:
NextSchools TM
Imagine a new breed of NextSchools, where the objective is to double
the rate of learning, and the primary characteristic is a relentless focus
on personalization and student-centricity. Achievement is constant
and time can vary. If students need more time to master a particular
course, they get it.
NextSchools students move at their own pace, and the system is
designed to facilitate self-directed and self-paced learning and
minimize the amount of time where progress is not being made.
Robust formative and summative assessments are part of the daily
routine and provide just-in-time information for students and teachers
to support adjustments and remediation.
Online subject-specific experts, as well as mentors and trainers, are
available to support the NextSchools classroom teacher if needed.
Productive partnerships with the community, business, and industry
fuel a relevant, real-world approach to teaching and learning concepts
and skills throughout the curriculum.
�e NextSchools vision is based on the Project RED findings.
Grades K-8
�e NextSchools curriculum goes as deeply as possible into each
concept and skill using inquiry, problem- and project-based research
scenarios. Average students today read two million words by the end
of eighth grade, and high-performing students read four million
words. In a NextSchools, every student reads a minimum of four
million words, and students enter high school with the foundation for
literacy success.