Foreword by Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction Chapter 1: Creating a Coherent System of Continuous Improvement Leading a Coherent Path of Progress Chapter 2: Clarity of District Goals and School Priorities for Student Learning Creating a Strategic Focus for Equitable Student Growth Clearly Delineating Improvement Strategies Leading Short Cycles of Improvement The Path of Progress for Little Lake City School District Reflecting on Key Capacity-Building Strategies Tips for Taking Action Chapter 3: Culture of Shared Leadership and Systemic Collaboration Serving as a Lead Learner Cultivating Systemic Collaboration and Co-learning Leading From the Middle The Path of Progress for Hesperia Unified School District Reflecting on Key Capacity-Building Strategies Tips for Taking Action Chapter 4: Coherent Instructional Framework for Developing Collective Expertise Creating Instructional Coherence Robust Collaborative Inquiry Processes Developing Precision of Pedagogy The Path of Progress for Corona-Norco Unified School District Reflecting on Key Capacity-Building Strategies Tips for Taking Action Chapter 5: Evidence-Based Cycles of Inquiry for Continuous Improvement Know Thy Impact Evidence of Learning Continuous Improvement of Practices The Path of Progress for Rosedale Union School District Reflecting on Key Capacity-Building Strategies Tips for Taking Action Chapter 6: Leading a Coherent Path for Sustainable Growth in Learning Rubrics and Planning Tools Chapter 7: Building Capacity to Lead Systemic Improvement References Index
Built from the principles of Fullan/Quinn's hugely successful book, Coherence, this book explains why the long-term success of school districts requires a systemic approach for creating a coherent system of continuous improvement. The reason is that the district is the most important 'unit' of system change, not the school by itself. School districts demonstrating the clarity, commitment, collaboration, and accountability needed to create a coherent system of continuous improvement are deemed Districts on the Move. We use the phrase 'on the move' because forward motion is essential for coherence-making and continuous improvement as both necessitate constant adapting and adjusting to realize the equitable improvement of student learning outcomes.
Jay Westover has provided leadership training and school improvement consulting in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, state departments of education, colleges, educational service centers, and school districts across North America. Over the past fifteen years, his work has focused on developing capacity of school district systems to close the gaps of college and career readiness. Creating coherent systems of continuous improvement has been a central aspect of state-wide, regional, and local partnerships including the Association of California School Administrators, more than a dozen County Offices of Education, and over 100 school districts. Jay's role at InnovateEd is lead advisor for state-level, county-wide, and local school district partnerships, client executive leadership coaching, and guiding the expansion of consulting services. His passion is working alongside leaders to simplify the complexities of developing school district capacity and coherence for sustainable improvement.