"The authors are grounded educational leaders who have lived the approach to improvement and innovation that they write about. Filled with anecdotal examples, reflection exercises, and practical strategies, this is a very useful and timely resource for educators seeking to understand and influence educational innovation and transformation in the 21st century." —Michael H. Dickmann, Professor Cardinal Stritch University "This book stimulates leaders as they stretch their organization′s culture to reveal mental models, consider external trends, and seek creative and energizing strategies that will prepare students for a future we cannot yet define." —Edie Holcomb, Consultant Marzano Research Laboratory Prepare students to succeed in a changing world! 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 expertise, 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: 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.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Rick Stiggins Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Part I. Leading Beyond Improvement 1. Schools in a Changing World In This Chapter The Need for Improvement Are Our Schools Broken? Trends in the External Environment Two Trends: Getting Better and Becoming Different Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Schools in a Changing World 2. Improvement Is Not Enough In This Chapter Awakening to the Difference Between Improvement and Innovation Improvement Is Not Enough Lorie′s Story Schools Working Toward Innovation Vignette 1: Michelle′s Story Vignette 2: A Midwestern School District Vignette 3: The Story of SBK High School Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Improvement is not Enough 3. Attributes of Innovation In This Chapter Starting the Journey to Improvement and Innovation Randy’s Story: Looking Beyond Current Practice Key Attributes for Innovation Unwelcome in Command and Control Envisioning Leading Adaptive Systems Self-Organizing Systems Starting the Journey Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Attributes of Innovation 4. Develop the Courage to Leap In This Chapter Innovation Life Cycles The Hero’s Journey Developing the Courage to Innovate Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Develop the Courage to Leap 5. Hold Courageous Conversations In This Chapter Personal Orientation to Change Sue′s Story John′s Story The Power of Paradoxes Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Hold Courageous Conversations Part II. Essential Leadership Practices 6. Embrace Dissonance In This Chapter Dissonance in the Natural World Essential Leadership Practice – Embrace Dissonance What Embracing Dissonance Looks Like in Practice Action Tips – Embrace Dissonance Paradoxical Leaders Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Embrace Dissonance 7. Create Context In This Chapter The Importance of Identity Essential Leadership Practice – Create Context What Creating Context Looks Like in Practice Action Tips – Create Context Paradoxical Leaders Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Create Context 8. Change Your Field of Perception In This Chapter The Importance of Information Essential Leadership Practice – Change Your Field of Perception What Changing Your Field of Perception Looks Like in Practice Action Tips – Change Your Field of Perception Paradoxical Leaders Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Change Your Field of Perception 9. Let Ideas Collide In This Chapter The Importance of Order Essential Leadership Practice – Let Ideas Collide What Letting Ideas Collide Looks Like in Practice Action Tips – Let Ideas Collide Paradoxical Leaders Summary Team Conversation Starters Self-Assessment: Let Ideas Collide 10. Innovate the Way You Lead In This Chapter The Journey Starts With Unlearning The Inner Journey Action Plan for Innovating the Way You Lead Summary Resource A: Glossary Resource B: Essential Leadership Actions Resource C: Continuum of Leadership Behavior References Index