Posted by: Dean Fink Posted on: May 15, 2001 at 10:43 PM Message: I loved this poster, particularly your willingness to reflect on what went well and what didn't. Your poster is a primer for those who want to know why reform is so difficult and why it isn't sustained. It speaks eloquently to the non rationality of educational change. I think you have learned one key lesson of sustainability - build a critical mass of leaders and continually recruit and induct new people into the culture. How did you do this? What happened when the key leaders moved on, or are they still with you? What plans have you for succession of the prime movers? I also like the fact that you can celebrate your victories. With so many people prepared to confess our sins, we need to remind ourselves that in spite of adversity we made some important gains. You asked how do you get people to commit to the project. There are of course no magic answers but my approach has always been the 'buy in' strategy. Start with the people everyone acknowledges are the 'best' teachers. Some may be cynics - in fact the conversion of a few cynics can be powerful P.R. Find ways to induce them to be involved -time is usually a good motivator and the opportunity for a stimulating educational experience. Make sure the in-service is really good. The work will get out. Don't anguish over 'the rocks'-the ones who oppose everything. Spend your time on those who are open to new ideas. As we used to say in our district, 'don't water the rocks' they will never grow. Of course make sure they are in fact rocks. Peter Block in The Empowered Manager provides some very useful advice on this topic. Dean Fink