When it works well, the education system is greater than the sum of its parts. But it’s a complex system, and a human one. Like any complex system, education is vulnerable to multiple points of failure. All the parts have to work.

There is no magic answer to improving education. Sorry!

If schools aren’t working well enough, what’s to be done? This chapter explores big ideas that are competing for attention as systemic approaches to change. Ideas come from people: this chapter also highlights some organizations that play an important role in these conversations.

Big, systemic ideas are important, but not magical. This chapter will conclude by spotlighting and linking to sites and organizations that you may find quite useful. Your comments are vital. Please let other readers know if you have an innovative group that others should know about.

What's in this Chapter?

We convinced Jeff to narrate a short video preview of each lesson. We hope you get a kick out of the awkward expressions we captured him in...