Current Theory & Research

As part of my Principal Part II course, I researched current theory in education and chose the work of Michael Fullan's Coherence here is a one-page synopsis of important points...

There is only one way to achieve greater coherence, and that is through purposeful action and interaction,working on capacity, clarity, precision of practice, transparency, monitoring of progress, and continuous correction. All of this requires the right mixture of “pressure and support”: the press for progress within supportive and focused cultures. p. 2

Coherence making in other words is a continuous process of making and remaking meaning in your own mind and in your culture. Our framework shows you how to do this. p. 3

Effective change processes shape and reshape good ideas as they build capacity and ownership among participants. There are two components: the quality of the idea and the quality of the process. P.14

... that these highly successful organizations learned from the success of others but never tried to imitate what others did. Instead, they found their own pathway to success. They did many of the right things, and they learned and adjusted as they proceeded. p.15

Most people would rather be challenged by change and helped to progress than be mired in frustration. Best of all, this work tackles “whole systems” and uses the group to change the group. People know they are engaged in something beyond their narrow role. It is human nature to rise to a larger call if the problems are serious enough and if there is a way forward where they can play a role with others. Coherence making is the pathway that does this. p. Ix

What we need is consistency of purpose, policy, and practice. Structure and strategy are not enough. The solution requires the individual and collective ability to build shared meaning, capacity, and commitment to action. When large numbers of people have a deeply understood sense of what needs to be done—and see their part in achieving that purpose—coherence emerges and powerful things happen. p. 1