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. Must change be radical and disruptive? How has change worked in the past? Does education improve more under conditions of plenty or scarcity?

Intentional change requires ideas and clarity, but depends even more on people. There's no magic involved.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s in this chapter:

I hope that Ed100's lessons have helped you understand California’s education system. There's more in our blog. If you like our work, will you help others benefit from it, too? We rely on readers like you to spread the word.

We have a whole toolbox full of ideas about how to use Ed100 in your school district, PTA, college course, or other contexts.

Want to get involved in this work in a deeper way? Please don’t be shy! Ed100 relies deeply on the efforts of volunteers. We also depend on individual contributions through Full Circle Fund, our non-profit fiscal sponsor.

Thank you.