Benchmarks of Change: Assessing Essential School Restructuring Efforts

Abstract

This study assesses the process of changing in four schools at the midpoint of a 5-year essential schools restructuring effort. Using cross-case analyses, organizational change processes are assessed using four benchmarks of change established by the Coalition of Essential Schools: substantial agreement, observable change, all-school participation, and systemic leadership. Factors affecting the change processes are identified. Conclusions about school restructuring-change processes are discussed in terms of the criteria established by the Coalition and the literature on change.