Posted by:
Dennis Sparks
K-12 Classroom teacher
Ann Arbor, MI

Topic:
System Redesign

Message:

Common obstacles include antiquated "mental models" that inhibit change, the lack of time and money, unclear objectives, fragmentation and incoherence in improvement efforts, and a lack of understanding and/or impatience on the part of leaders with the demands and complexities of improvement efforts. Because each of these obstacles usually has several sources, they are critical leadership issues that must be viewed from a systemic perspective.

Someone once said that every system is designed to achieve the results it is getting. Different results, then, require the design of a different system. Design has been defined as a plan for arranging elements in such a way as to best accomplish a particular purpose. Consequently, staff development leaders (superintendents, principals, and teacher leaders, among others) must see system redesign as essential in removing obstacles and one of their most important responsibilities.

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