The Human Side of School Change.Most school administrators understand the difficulties involved in attempting to introduce even modest changes in an educational environment. Robert Evans There are several well-known people named Robert Evans, including:
In his attempt to "simplify leadership," Evans describes four basic areas of authentic leadership--confrontation, recognition, clarity and participation "without paralysis." The latter, he says, typically stymies the efforts of administrators. Evans cites Harvard educator Roland Barth's observation that collegiality col·le·gi·al·i·ty n. 1. Shared power and authority vested among colleagues. 2. Roman Catholic Church The doctrine that bishops collectively share collegiate power. among adults in schools is not a common occurrence. The problem is not so much the opposition of staff and faculty to change as it is their disinterest dis·in·ter·est n. 1. Freedom from selfish bias or self-interest; impartiality. 2. Lack of interest; indifference. tr.v. To divest of interest. Noun 1. and lack of trust in the process. Disinterest is one of the main roadblocks to changing instruction and clarifying what we want children to accomplish. Evans believes a "value consensus" about the purpose of education is needed. Without it, little improvement in school and student performances will occur. (The Human Side of School Change, by Robert Evans, Jossey-Bass Publishers, 350 Sansome St., San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden , Calif. 94104-1342, 1996, 317 pp. with index, $26 hardcover. Available from AASA AASA American Association of School Administrators AASA Asian American Student Association AASA Association of Academies of Sciences in Asia AASA Aging and Adult Services Administration AASA Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army Distribution Center, P.O. Box 411, Annapolis Jct., Md. 20701-0411. Toll-free 888-782-2272 or 301-617-7802. Stock #745-SA) |
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