Harnessing the Power of Beliefs: The Challenge of Change. Insights on Educational Policy and Practice Number 10

The challenge of changing belief systems to engender educational change is explored in this bulletin, which asserts that the current American educational system inadequately prepares students for productive participation in a rapidly changing information-oriented society. Change in the United States culture implies that alterations in education are also necessary. The change from "maintenance" to "evolutionary" kinds of learning, or a transition from fixed to proactive thinking skills, is advocated. Change strategies for people-oriented institutions requires recognition of the problem as ecological and interactive, definition of beliefs that determine which goals are right, review of policies in light of those beliefs, and changing beliefs. (16 references) (LMI)