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Journal ArticleDOI

Rethinking Scale: Moving Beyond Numbers to Deep and Lasting Change

Cynthia E. Coburn
- 01 Aug 2003 - 
- Vol. 32, Iss: 6, pp 3-12
TLDR
In this paper, the authors draw on a review of theoretical and empirical literature on scale, relevant research on reform implementation, and original research to synthesize and articulate a more multidimensional conceptualization.
Abstract
The issue of “scale” is a key challenge for school reform, yet it remains undertheorized in the literature. Definitions of scale have traditionally restricted its scope, focusing on the expanding number of schools reached by a reform. Such definitions mask the complex challenges of reaching out broadly while simultaneously cultivating the depth of change necessary to support and sustain consequential change. This article draws on a review of theoretical and empirical literature on scale, relevant research on reform implementation, and original research to synthesize and articulate a more multidimensional conceptualization. I develop a conception of scale that has four interrelated dimensions: depth, sustainability, spread, and shift in reform ownership. I then suggest implications of this conceptualization for reform strategy and research design.

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Citations
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Teacher professional learning and development: Best evidence synthesis iteration

TL;DR: The focus of research in phase 4 is on the replicability of the programme as it is scaled up to include new schools and on the sustainability of the reform in the 12 phase 3 schools.
Journal ArticleDOI

School Climate: Research, Policy, Practice, and Teacher Education

TL;DR: A sustainable, positive school climate fosters youth development and learning necessary for a productive, contributive, and satisfying life in a democratic society as mentioned in this paper, including norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices, and organizational structures.
Journal ArticleDOI

Social, Emotional, Ethical, and Academic Education: Creating a Climate for Learning, Participation in Democracy, and Well-Being.

TL;DR: Cohen argues that the goals of education need to be reframed to prioritize not only academic learning, but also social, emotional, and ethical competencies as mentioned in this paper, and advocates for action research partnerships between researchers and practioners to develop authentic methods of evaluation.
Journal ArticleDOI

Sustainability of Teacher Implementation of School-Based Mental Health Programs

TL;DR: A sequential model is presented, based on these ingredients, of the naturalistic processes underlying sustainability of teachers' program implementation and how this sustainability can be enhanced through provision of teacher training and performance feedback from a classroom consultant.
Journal ArticleDOI

District policy and teachers' social networks.

TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore how district policies influence teachers' social networks in eight elementary schools in two districts involved in the scale-up of mathematics curriculum, and uncovering the dynamics by which policy influences teachers social networks, contribute to understandings of the factors that foster the development of social capital.
References
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How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school.

TL;DR: New developments in the science of learning as mentioned in this paper overview mind and brain how experts differ from novices how children learn learning and transfer the learning environment curriculum, instruction and commnity effective teaching.
Book

The New Meaning of Educational Change

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a brief history of educational change at the local and national level, and discuss the causes and problems of implementation and continuation of change at both the local level and the national level.
Journal ArticleDOI

Policy Implementation and Cognition: Reframing and Refocusing Implementation Research

TL;DR: This article developed a cognitive framework to characterize sense-making in the implementation process that is especially relevant for recent education policy initiatives, such as standards-based reforms that press for tremendous changes in classroom instruction.
Journal ArticleDOI

Building Student Capacity for Mathematical Thinking and Reasoning: An Analysis of Mathematical Tasks Used in Reform Classrooms

TL;DR: The findings suggest that teachers were selecting and setting up the kinds of tasks that reformers argue should lead to the development of students’ thinking capacities.