Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems

by Michael Fullan

Third, Garden Grove has developed a strong and clear strategy and culture (called locally “the Garden Grove Way”). It consists of four elements: Continuous improvement of instructional quality and spreading the best instructional practices and ideas to achieve these goals across the system are a relentless focus. Core strategies were identified and consistent support is provided to build expertise at all levels. Building teacher capacity is seen as the route to improvement as articulated by the former superintendent Laura Schwalm: “You’re never going to be a better district than your teachers.” The selection of core strategies avoided the “pockets of success” problem by using a collective capacity strategy to achieve results. This success has diffused across the district, and with that foundation in place, there is greater trust and empowerment for schools to tackle deeper learning accelerated by technology. The district values its relationships highly and takes great care in recruitment and hiring of the best people and building their capacity through induction, coaching, mentoring, and a lifetime of learning. They nurture the development of existing school leaders and that of teachers on special assignment roles in order to foster instructional capacity across the district. Culture and collaboration are pervasive. People talk proudly of the Garden Grove Way as both the aspiration for quality and a valuing of students and each other. Central office staffing is very lean b...