Chapter 2: Understanding the Theory of Change Processes

We can see from Chapter 1 that over the past three decades our world has changed dramatically due to the many and varied impacts of globalization which includes: advances in and the pervasiveness of technology, linked economic markets, greater international competition, the migration of peoples, and the rise in terrorism and radicalization. These influences of globalization, along with associated ideologies such as neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism, have resulted in an increased expectation that education as a whole, and school communities in particular, must engage with the demands from society, government, and many stakeholder groups. These groups want young people to have access to a high quality education which can pave the way for a successful career as well as for school graduates to become contributing members of society, able to live rich and satisfying lives. These external pressures mean that educational leaders are increasingly expected to bring about change in schools to ensure all students can be and are successful. Unfortunately, it appears that the more policymakers’ call for change, the less successful schools and educators are in instituting change. Fig. 2.1 demonstrates an all too common “cycle of change” whereby change is identified and policy makers demand reform. Policy makers and/or system leaders create and enact policies designed to guide a change agenda. They frequently provide funding for professional development for educators with the intent to ensure educators will implement the change. Unfortunately, frequently many professional development programs are poorly structured which deleteriously influences its efficacy in facilitating the desired change. Upon review, system leaders and policy makers determine that the policy has failed which promotes the assumption that teachers and leaders have failed and are resistant to change. This in turn results in further calls for reform and the institution of another change agenda thereby re-initiating this change cycle.