Systemic
Change Initiative
A
Broader Perspective
Through the Office of Collaborative Education, EMU has established
a Systemic Change Initiative as a process for integrating
the strengths of a training institution with a network of
school systems in order to improve upon the method, process
and learning outcomes directly related to each institution's
mission. This systemic change process has an integrated
approach which involves collaboration between school districts
within a network which includes Eastern Michigan University.
This effort will build upon the goal of working toward a
more collaborative educational system. Systems reform in
education involves changes in roles, rules and relationships
between and among students and teachers, teachers and administrators,
and administrators and parents all with the aim of improving
student outcomes. The Eastern Michigan University systemic
reform project focuses upon expanding opportunities for
working collaboratively within each organization and, also,
with other school districts and the University. The primary
goals related to the project are aimed at:
-
decentralizing
authority;
-
implementing
student-centered learning which is less generic and
more personalized, less competitive and more cooperative;
-
assessing
student and organizational performance which is consistent
with changes in the curriculum and the educational
system.
School
District Systemic Change Through EMU
School districts can contract with the Eastern Michigan
University Office of Collaborative Education for assistance
in working through change at the district level. The Howell
Community School District and the South Lyon Community School
District are participating in the project are the first
participants.
Services
Provided by Eastern Michigan University
-
Eastern
Michigan University will contract with districts to
provide service in achieving the project goals. Each
district will have access to the following services;
however, an annual "Action Plan" will be
developed to address specific needs and issues within
the participating institutions.
-
A
university facilitator to consult with the district
in developing a process that focuses upon whole systems
change.
-
Five
days of training to develop a cadre of locally-based
teachers and administrators to train the district
staff in team building and consensus decision making.
(Other staff development may be arranged concerning
specific areas of need; however, the focus of this
training is in helping the district establish a framework
for collaborative decision making.)
-
One
annual conference for bringing together school districts
to share information.
-
Access
and purchase of materials to be included in the C-SIP
library which contains books, videotapes and training
materials.
-
Four
newsletters annually highlighting successful school
improvement projects.
-
The
school districts will participate in ongoing research
projects that focus upon issues of concern within
the participating school systems.
-
Dr.
James Berry, Associate Professor in the Educational
Leadership program, is coordinator of the project.
He will work with school districts to determine the
Action Plans which will guide each district's participation.
Summary
A systems approach to change in education is a focused effort
to accelerate institutional learning. Educational institutions
must begin to plan and organize around a model/process which
improves outcomes by implementing multiple levels of simultaneous
change that occurs throughout the educational system. This
initiative includes developing new approaches to institutional
learning which involves Eastern Michigan University and
school districts in a systems change initiative. Other projects
also under the of the Office of Collaborative Education:
NCA
Annual Meeting
To
download the handouts for NCA Annual Meeting Fall 2002,
please click here.
For additional information contact:
Donald Staub, Program Coordinator
Office of Collaborative Education
104 Porter Building
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
Telephone: (734) 487-1060
