Leading Change in Modern Schools: The Essential Role of Change Agents in Education Reform
What is a Change Agent in a School or District?
The challenges affecting modern day schools demand leaders who are capable of driving change and improvements.
Partners in School Innovation uses the term “Results-Oriented Change Agent” to describe leaders who are equipped to handle the complexities of schools that are under-resourced and are committed to the success of every student.
Results-Oriented Change Agents (ROCAs) are powerful leaders of improvement and change management who are able to challenge the way things are currently done while respecting the history and experience within the system they are working in. They have the capacity to rally their school and/or district communities in ways that lead to powerful and sustainable improvements.
ROCAs are leaders who pinpoint the root causes of challenges, develop actionable plans aligned with a clear vision forward, and continually assess progress to make effective changes that drive results.
Man in a charcoal gray blazer and button-up dress shirt writes on a paper with a focused look on his face. He is seated by other adults who look engaged as if in a workshop.
Partners In School Innovation’s Framework for Becoming a Change Agent Within a School or District Community
Over the past 30+ years, Partners in School Innovation (PSI) has systematically supported its staff, educators, and school leaders to address and disrupt patterns of student underperformance, inadequate professional development, challenging school climates, burnout, and systemic inequities– all issues that particularly affect under-resourced schools and disproportionately impact students of color and English learners.
Using decades of research and experience in the field, PSI has developed a comprehensive Change Agent Framework and Rubric that outlines the main skills, mindsets, and understandings needed for educational leaders to effectively serve as agents of change.
PSI also uses this framework in their everyday work with school leaders and educators looking for guidance on how to lead change and improvement efforts more effectively, providing tailored development and coaching nationwide.
Man in a navy blue sweater points at a tablet screen and coaches a woman in a denim jacket who has her laptop open and is following along on her screen during a workshop
How Everyday Educators Can Become Change Agents
Partners in School Innovation has found that teachers and leaders can successfully transition from being highly effective in their own practice to being Change Agents that lead and build the capacity of others, when they receive professional development and coaching in the following areas:
1. Mindsets and Understanding Around Equity in Education
To become an effective Change Agent, an educator must develop an understanding and awareness of how systemic oppression can manifest in educational environments. This understanding allows them to maintain a focus on equity and social justice, while being able to notice and confront challenges with bravery and persistence.
2. The Qualities of Effective Educational Leadership
Change Agents need to build a toolkit of relational and tactical methods to rally their community and inspire collaboration for change. They should have the ability to effectively communicate the current realities facing students, and share a clear vision for change. Additionally, they understand that leading change is collaborative and make sure that responsibilities are shared and trust is built within the community.
3. Adult Learning Design and Facilitation
To be able to distribute responsibility when leading collaborative change efforts and improvements, Change Agents must take responsibility for supporting the learning and growth of others towards a clear vision.
They need to understand and execute on coaching and group facilitation techniques that develop their team’s capabilities, while also guiding them on how to critically analyze their practices, and use data to identify what’s working and what’s not.
4. Partners In School Innovation’s School and District Transformation Approach
Developing into a Change Agent that is looking to create lasting and sustainable change at their school or district requires an understanding of the characteristics of successful educational environments, a deep knowledge of instructional strategies that benefit all students, and an understanding of how to plan and execute a plan towards a vision.
PSI developed The School Transformation Rubric, which outlines research-based best practices in instruction, teacher professional learning, and leadership. It’s a tool that provides a roadmap for the work that school leaders and teachers can do to continuously improve their instructional programs and support student learning in service of equity.
Results-Oriented Leadership
Results-Oriented Leadership is an important part of Partners in School Innovation’s approach to school transformation, and it's an especially important area where Change Agents must develop their skills. A major part of being a Results-Oriented Change Agent (ROCA) is the ability to set school or district-wide SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goals for improving student outcomes and create actionable plans towards the school’s vision and goals.
Beyond creating plans and taking action, to be a ROCA a school leader must be results-oriented, meaning they understand how to set up a structure for assessing progress, reflecting on outcomes, and making adjustments as needed.
5. Strategies for Leading Effective Change Management
The last area that an aspiring Change Agent should seek development in is an understanding of the strategies and personal qualities needed for leading effective and sustainable change efforts.
This includes developing their ability to create community-centered strategies for change, while managing the emotions, motivations, and social dynamics of adults within educational systems to adjust change strategies accordingly.
They also develop the capability to respond to resistance, and help their communities embrace innovative and effective practices.
Photo of five smiling women that comprise Partners in School Innovation staff members and educators.
Interested in Learning More About How to Lead Change in Your School or District?
Contact our team to learn how we support you with your school or district change efforts, or check out some of Partners in School Innovation’s learning resources below.
Online Professional Learning for Teachers and School Leaders
Partners in School Innovation Community
The Partners in School Innovation Community is the transformative space where leaders in education are empowered and equipped to solve systemic racial inequities with peers nationwide so that all students can thrive. It’s where educational change agents cultivate equity. Join us where 575+ equity-focused leaders in education are sharing resources weekly. Learn more here.
Professional development courses on-demand
Built in collaboration with leading experts in education, our online courses within the Partners in School Innovation Community focus on equity work and provide curated activities, opportunities to practice, and space for reflection. They are available on demand and can be self-paced or taken with a cohort. Find courses like “The Role of a Change Agent” and “From Root Causes to Grassroots Action” to take. Browse the entire course catalog here.
P.S. We've also built custom courses for teams who want lessons configured to their unique school and district environments. Let us know if you'd like to imagine and develop a course together for yours!
“Change Agents” Book
A lot has changed in recent years but the solution to turning schools into lively, loving, learning communities remains the same: you.
Based on school transformations the Partners in School Innovation team has supported, this book presents time-tested, research-based practices through stories documenting the efforts of real-life educators. Learn more here.
