As the school change industry grows and becomes more powerful, initiatives to close the achievement gap and reduce dropouts become more confusing and chaotic. As reported by many What Works Conference participants, the school change movement has spun out of control and it’s time for those who know the most about our children to take charge.
The What Works Conferences surfaced numerous possibilities about what can be done to improve our schools. However, most ideas, were subtle and imbedded in the day-to-day lives and relationships of teachers, parents, and students. Between and among these relationships are the events, projects, and an ever changing learning environment that sparks insight, curiosity, and innovation in our classrooms.
One of the most interesting outcomes from the What Works Conference was the inside-outside thinking that described new approaches to school change. Inside-outside thinking resulted when classroom teachers had serious and authentic conversations about improving our schools with educational researchers, and policy makers. The What Works Conference was a first step in bringing together parents, administrators, and community leaders with classroom teachers to discuss and identify those patterns that create the conditions necessary for student success – both academically and socially. Conference presenters and participants found that school improvement does not often manifest itself in tangible ways, but rather takes place by discovering patterns or the way things operate successfully – in other words, what works.
Inside-outside thinking views school change from a system-wide perspective. Most school change initiatives have generally emphasized either internal or external efforts to improve our schools. Early childhood education (ECE) suggests a teaching and learning environment that has no boundaries, where all school community stakeholders play an authentic role in the change process. A close examination of ECE may reveal possible change strategies that can be applied throughout all of public education.
To understand inside-outside thinking and to get a better idea of how this approach works, click on the presentation below. This sample audio presentation will give you a flavor for the What Works Conference and the rich conversations that took place during the three week conference period. Panel members for this session included Linda Fiddler, Teacher/Resource Specialist in Bakersfield, CA, City School District, Delaine Eastin, former Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of California, and Dr. Alan Daly, Professor of Education at UC San Diego.
In the audio session below you will hear parts of a powerful presentation on how school community gardens are able to bring together parents, teachers, classified staff, administrators, and community leaders to create a teaching and learning environment filled with passion, excitement, and joy. Presenters, through their conversations, discovered that school community gardens can create a new context for school improvement – one that became obvious through inside-outside thinking.
