Weekly Journal 10-17-00

Section 1:  Preparation for class

While reading Leading a School System Through Change  Key Steps for Moving Reform Forward, I became concerned.  I believe this is the first article I have read from the Jossey-Bass Reader on Educational Leadership that has truly concerned me.  The author describes how he would go about changing the school system dramatically within a relative short period of time rather than changing things at a pace that might be acceptable to the institution's individuals.  It seems he intends to change everything within one nine-month period (or at least initiate that change).  He proposes changing everything from what "teachers" and "students" are called to the actual job of the superintendent.  He also proposes the establishment of an office responsible for human resource development.

Section 2:  Reflections

I believe I was in ninth grade when I invented what I believe was the greatest football play of all time.  I cannot remember it precisely but recall that it was very complicated with several misdirections as well as several handoffs.  Not being able to contain my excitement at this great breakthrough in offensive strategy, I showed it to two upper classmen who also played on the football team.  I was disappointed when, to my surprise, I was told that it was too complicated and would never work.  However, after further maturation, I realized that the chances of success for that play would have been near zero.  Not until today have I been exposed to something that seems to me so complicated that I was reminded of the play I had invented.  I cannot understand how one could expect people to change an entire organization at such a rapid pace.  Furthermore, I am not convinced that those changes will lead to a more successful institution.  Is there any real evidence indicating that what Schlechty himself admits that he could not accomplish some of, would lead to a better school system.  He also speaks out against bureaucracy while advocating the implementation of an additional office to handle human resources.  Isn't this more bureaucracy?

Section 3:  Applications

Some of the ideas in this article may very well be great ways to improve our educational system.  However, it seems to me that one could be more effective with a long-term goal and many short-term goals which would lead to the ultimate objective without changing everything at one time.  One of the ideas which could be implemented as a short-term goal is to submit a growth and improvement plan.  Although I do not think this should be mandatory paperwork that is kept on file, it would be helpful for me to answer several of the questions posed by the author at the beginning of each semester.  I will try to print these questions and save them for reference when I need to re-evaluate my productivity.

Section 4:  "Light Bulb Moments?"

Initially, I did not have a "light bulb moment".  However, after thinking about whether I should change my journal entry for this week (in case I came across a little too strong), I realized what may have helped lead to this "strong" opinion.  At the time I read this article, I was feeling somewhat overwhelmed with the amount of reading and other work I needed to accomplish this week.  I didn't see any possible way to accomplish all I needed for my classes while maintaining my teaching load.  Fearing this "stress" had affected my objectivity, I decided to look at the article again after completing the assignments.  I may have needed to be a little gentler than I was regarding the author's ideas.  However, it remains my opinion that what he proposes is complicated enough that it would need to be carried out in stages that would be acceptable to everyone.  Furthermore, I believe with an increase in the number of changes there is an increase in the chance of implementing change that would be detrimental to the institution.

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