Bookshelf: Kappan authors on their favorite reads

So many times the term “buy in” surfaces in conversations about getting staff to engage in reform efforts. As long-time school leaders, we wanted a deeper level of commitment from our staff — we wanted ownership. We thought we were achieving this by enacting robust school improvement processes and active leadership teams. And yet, we were left wondering why some teachers were disgruntled and results weren’t what we expected. This changed when we discovered Viviane Robinson’s book, Reduce Change to Increase Improvement. Despite its unassuming title, this slender book delivers an abundance of insight into why improvement efforts often fail and what we can do about it.

Robinson, a renowned educator and researcher, uses straightforward prose and practical examples to help practitioners navigate the pitfalls and promise of leading for improvement. By comparing a theory of action that bypasses teachers and one that engages them, Robinson helps the reader understand why subtle coercion methods haven’t worked. An engagement framework provides instructive examples of how to move beyond superficial collaboration toward productive dialogue that results in higher levels of trust and ownership.

Now, more than ever, we need schools where teachers’ voices are heard and valued, and where change isn’t done for change’s sake. This book is a must-read for leaders who want to build a vibrant culture of improvement where teachers and students are engaged and grow.