The future of educational change: system thinkers in action

• Published in: Journal of educational change 2006-10, Vol.7 (3), p.113-122
• Main Author: Fullan, Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Educational Change; Educational Research; Leadership; Poetry; Public Service; Sustainability
• ISSN: 1389-2843; 1573-1812
• DOI: 10.1007/s10833-006-9003-9

In addressing the future agenda of educational change, this paper advances the notion of sustainability as a key factor in developing a new kind of leadership. This new leadership, if enduring, large scale change is desired, needs to go beyond the successes of increasing student achievement and move toward leading organizations to sustainability. Currently, there is a lack of development of leaders toward system thinking. An argument is made for linking systems thinking with sustainability in order to transform an organization or a system. In order to accomplish this goal, it is necessary to change not only individuals but also systems. The way to change systems is to foster the development of practitioners who are "system thinkers in action." Such leaders widen their sphere of engagement by interacting with other schools in a process we call lateral capacity building. When several leaders act this way they actually change the context in which they work. Eight elements of sustainability, which will enable leaders to become more effective at leading organizations toward sustainability, are presented. Within the explication of the eight elements, prior research is considered, difficulties are surfaced, and challenges are issued to change contextual conditions in order to effect large scale, sustainable educational change.