Change Wars

In today's era of educational change, where reforms proliferate, initiatives abound, legal responsibilities are constantly expanding, and both teachers and leaders complain constantly of overload, the challenge is no longer just how to implement particular changes, but how to choose between changes, prioritize them, and create coherence among all of them. This is a challenge for the teacher in the classroom, the principal in the office, and for policymakers in government. How is it possible to do the right things well, not get distracted by the wrong things, involve and include everyone who is affected, keep the momentum and the impact going, and prevent burnout by ensuring the change agenda is manageable and coherent? The experts contributing to this anthology do not prescribe one method to transact change. They embrace the mission, trusting that teachers and administrators, the true change leaders, will venture to the Leading Edge to embrace the challenges and opportunities that will guarantee the success of their students.