We do not live in a static world, which is why it’s so important for schools to exist听听in a constant state of forward momentum and change. But that’s hard to achieve听in most places where history, process, policy, and culture often slow advancements听down.
In herblog (which was recently reposted on the Literacy in Learning Exchange),听听argues that change requires “adaptive capacity.”
“We think of adaptive capacity as individual and collective learning in response to changes within and outside the system鈥攍earning that shows resilience and supports sustainability.”
If that’s not how you’d describe the conditions in your school, don’t worry.听听Patterson points out that building adaptive capacity doesn’t happen听over night. Rather, it’s a confluence of small but coordinated efforts across a system over time that can move the whole in that direction.
“Individuals and groups are seeing patterns in their work, making sense in terms of what they鈥檇 like to see, and taking action to make their system more sustainable, more resilient, and more supportive of individual and group learning. That鈥檚 adaptive capacity in action.”
What might that look like in your school?听Patterson says, “adaptive capacity in schools鈥攚here everything should focus on learning鈥搃s about a culture where we see
- Engagement (among students, educators, and other stakeholders)
- Sustainability (of systems improvement and student learning 鈥╣ains)
- Focus (on what really matters鈥攕tudent learning)
- Collaboration (among all stakeholders)
- Coherence (across instructional and administrative approaches)
- Risk-taking (inherent in taking an inquiry stance)
- Joyful practice (among all stakeholders)
Even if that sounds pie-in-the-sky, consider what could happen if you and your colleagues began听talking about shifting culture in that direction.
Curious? Check out Patterson’s to learn more. Explore听the , and follow their group on听the .