Characteristics and Considerations for Change--Implementing Excellence and Accountability

The Excellence and Accountability pilot program sponsored by the New York State Education Department was an opportunity for the Governeur Central School District to redefine decision-making in regard to teaching and learning. The program, which is moving school management closer to the source of learning (the teacher), is a process of change resulting from policies, behaviors, and attitudes shaping the learning environment. This report discusses the characteristics and considerations for change, beginning with six assumptions concerning change as a highly personalized experience. The traditional justification for bureaucratic organization of schools has been that a smooth-running school facilitates learning. However, when efficiency begins to control the school's educational practice, teachers react in ways that reduce educational quality rather than enhance it. In fact, teachers tend to control their students in much the same way as they are controlled by administrators. The Excellence and Accountability program has six components: annual public reporting, school building registration/registration review, district standards of excellence, a 5-year school education plan, an independent review of education plan, and a strategy for coordinating people. The characteristics of change that must be implemented and evaluated within the context of improving school systems include administrative vision and leadership, leadership through empowerment and organizational teaming, goal definition, and the management of incremental change. A change quotient rating scale is appended. (10 references) (MLH)