Changing whole education systems for the better as measured by student achievement requires coordinated leadership at school, community, county, and government levels. Based on the author's work with Canadian, UK, and U.S. districts and large systems, this resource lays out a comprehensive action plan for achieving whole-system reform. The book examines:
- Successful reform initiatives in the U.S. and abroad
- Actions and conditions that have insured traction and sustainability
- Ways to avoid common errors of action, funding, and policy
- New reforms at the national level that can impact learning right now
Industry Reviews
"Why do so many educational reforms look promising in a single school and then fail when brought to scale for an entire system? Michael Fullan reminds us that it is neither a lack of knowledge nor the absence of honorable intentions that causes this scenario, but rather a failure of system capacity and coherence. Fullan's advice is as trenchant for national policy makers as it is for local school leaders and teachers. The strategies of developing collective efficacy that Fullan so clearly and compellingly proposes, strategies incidentally that are already in practice, are as essential in the halls of government as they are in the hallways of every school." -- Douglas B. Reeves, Chairman "The book is packed with information and research that will change the way you think about district reform." -- The School Administrator, September 2010, Vol. 67(8) "Michael Fullan provides a very clear and compelling case for the potential of whole-system education reform by drawing on evidence and lessons from successful examples and by raising important and timely cautions about current reform strategies, particularly in the US and with international resonance. By introducing the concept of collective capacity building, Fullan encourages us to recognize that educational improvement requires each of us individually to contribute fully and, most important, all of us-politicians, officials, educators, students, parents and other partners-to work together for improved student outcomes. Fullan's expert advice has been invaluable in Ontario with a system on the go and improved results." -- Carol Campbell, Chief Research Officer "All Systems Go is vintage Fullan. It takes a complex problem-how to change the whole system-and offers, in a crystal clear and assertive way, advice on what not to do and what exactly to do. Policy makers, read this book with care and use it as your starting point in building capacity across the whole system and ending up with smarter and greater accountability than ever before.'' -- Peter W. Hill, Chief Executive Officer "Michael Fullan has once again hit the ball out of the park-a grand slam. All those interested in whole system education reform will want to read this book from cover to cover." -- Sir Michael Barber, Former Head of Tony Blair's Delivery Unit "A superb book, offering a compelling and transformative model for system change grounded in principle and forged in practice. Fullan provides the tools-conceptual, strategic, and structural-for system leaders at every level to create a whole system that develops collective capacity and efficacy." -- Stephanie Pace Marshall, Founding President and President Emerita "Michael Fullan hits the mark again. All Systems Go is exactly what we need at this crucial time in education reform around the globe. Fullan exhorts us to get our act together and deliver value. He is persuasive in delineating powerful, high-leverage strategies and in describing what it takes to deliver on our promise to develop high-performing schools to enhance students' life chances. He emphasizes the notion of collective capacity in evoking the emotional commitment and technical expertise necessary for meaningful change and improvement. Fullan boldly challenges politicians and professionals to unite for the good of our society. And best of all, he shows them how to do it." -- Avis Glaze, President, Edu-quest International Inc.
