In the dynamic world of education, leadership is more than just daily management; it’s about guiding schools toward lasting and meaningful improvements. Understanding the difference between surface-level tweaks and profound, impactful change is critical for the new generation of education leaders who want to make a real difference in student outcomes.
The accompanying image provides a roadmap for initiating substantial and sustainable change.
Beliefs: The foundation of change
At the core of any significant transformation are beliefs—the foundational principles driving a school’s improvement efforts. These shared beliefs, rooted in research, experience, data and moral imperatives, define the “why” behind every action.
Successful schools clearly outline their motivations, often prompted by the need to support students who are not thriving under the current system.
Practices: Changing the nature of work
Moving up the triangle, practices involve students’ and educators’ roles, routines and deliberate actions. A commitment to altering the day-to-day operations is necessary for genuine progress. Educators shift from simply delivering content to facilitating deep learning while students take a more active role, owning their learning journey.
Structures: Context for new practices
Structures—such as schedules, calendars and student groupings—provide the framework that supports new practices. However, structural changes alone do not lead to improved student outcomes unless they align with the underlying beliefs and actions that drive real improvement.
Tools: Instruments of support
At the triangle’s peak are tools—the resources, technologies and equipment that support learning. While important, tools are only as effective as the practices they are meant to enhance.
Divide between surface-level and deep change
A bold line across the middle of the triangle separates structures and tools from practices and beliefs, illustrating the critical difference between surface-level adjustments and more profound changes that truly impact the school environment. Surface-level changes—like adjusting schedules, adopting new tools or reorganizing student groupings—might offer short-term improvements, but they don’t fundamentally alter the core of teaching and learning. These adjustments often focus on logistics rather than substance.
In contrast, profound change happens in the realm of practices and beliefs. It requires educators and leaders to rethink and reimagine how they work fundamentally. This kind of change is difficult but essential for real progress.
Leaders aiming for meaningful improvement must first foster conversations about educational beliefs and engage others in redefining roles and expectations. Only after these shifts in mindset and practices should structural adjustments or new tools come into play.
Leadership in the change process
Leadership is crucial in guiding schools through the phases of profound change. Skilled leaders understand that this model simplifies a complex reality and that progress is not linear.
The process is ongoing, requiring reflection, adaptation and continuous support. Leaders must recognize when educators are ready to advance from one phase to the next and provide the appropriate support to ensure success.
Leaders also need to balance multiple initiatives, each requiring progression through the stages of the triangle. Recognizing that different individuals in the school may be at various points in this progression, leaders must tailor their support accordingly.
Path to sustainable improvement
The path to lasting educational change is challenging but essential for meaningful, sustainable improvement. By focusing first on shifting beliefs, aligning practices to those beliefs and only then making structural and tool adjustments to support these changes leaders can guide their schools toward genuine progress.
While surface-level adjustments might bring quick, visible results, profound changes create the long-term impact that transforms education. The next generation of education leaders must embrace and advocate for deeper change.
Though the journey is complex, the ultimate reward—sustainable improvement that endures—is worth the effort. In today’s fast-evolving educational landscape, understanding and enacting this distinction is beneficial and essential. Let’s not settle for quick fixes; let’s strive for profound, enduring change.
