Re: [arn-l Digest] Vol. 3 No. 85 Messages: 15

[ABurke5054@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/3/2006 2:24:01 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
shays@ccwebster.net writes:

I have  been working in the "change agent" market for two  
decades.   From that perspective, I can share a couple of points:
(1) Objectively testing narrow points of knowledge for statistical   
analysis, especially when high stakes are attached to that lone form   
of measurement (promotion/retention for children, public opinion as   
shaped by interpretation from any number of sources, determination of   
who manages a school, etc.) serves NOT to change what is done or how   
it is done, but only to entrench narrow approaches to meeting goals   
set by the nature of the test.
______________________________________________________
Please.  Enough "shooting the messenger."  Move on.
 
 (2) Change does not occur unless the stakeholders are a part of  the  
change process, help to initiate the process (or at least agree  that  
change is necessary), and have a stake in its success;
_________________________________________________
Sometimes change does not occur because "stakeholders" are a larger part of  
the problem than the solution.  Imagine, for example, a teacher who  claims to 
be bamboozled by the insurmountable problem of walking down the hall  to get 
a colleague to critique his lesson plan - does he sound like a change  agent 
to you?  

(3) The shuffling of feet caused by the short periods of tenure  in  
leadership (3-5 years, on average) leaves voids and vacuums  where  
change *is* successful ...
_____________________________________________
Yes.  We need more rational career paths for leaders.  That  includes 
training and mentoring.
 
 (4) No matter how heavy the hand of political posturing,  top-down  
imposition of change will only work for short periods of time  (if  
that long)
________________________________________________
Maybe the answer is parrtly more and better suggestions from the  "bottom up" 
and less kvetching about problems coming from the "top  down."
 
Art