This book presents arguments for adopting a Systems way of Thinking about developing schools to become in sync with the times, both locally and globally. Systems Thinking and Quality Management both are natural approaches for educators to adapt schooling to the rapid changes of life today in a global context. The chapters include strong rationales for adopting a more natural way of thinking about schooling, one that prepares students for life as it is now evolving around the world. Stories of success are abundant, which offer evidence of the power of a systems approach to leading school development in the complex context of schooling today. Research studies report up-to-date evidence of the power of Systems Thinking to continuously adapt schooling to changing conditions.
Karolyn J. Snyder is retired Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of South Florida, and President of the International School Connection, Inc. Over 55 years she worked in 40 different countries to promote Systems Thinking for Education, and the preparation of students during their schooling years to become competent and caring global citizens. Dr. Snyder is also responsible for the publication of six books and over 300 other publications. Kristen M. Snyder is a Professor of Quality Management at Mid Sweden University and an Associate professor in Education. Her international research and publications in quality management and school development have contributed to understanding the complexities of leading change in a global age, and how leaders can develop internal practices to support sustainable organizational development that is adaptive to customer needs and society.
Series Editor Introduction Foreword Skardon Bliss & Janet Greenwood Editors' Introduction Karolyn J. Snyder & Kristen M. Snyder Tribute to Joyce B. Swarzman, Kristen Snyder Systems Thinking and Sustainable Schooling: Foundations in Physics Karolyn J. Snyder Expanding How We Think about Quality in Education Kristen M. Snyder A Quantum Worldview of Responsive Power for Sustainable Learning Michele Acker-Hocevar The Quantum School Leader as a Strategic Systems Thinker Elaine C. Sullivan Networking for Principal Sustainability David Scanga & Renee Sedlack The Beginnings of Collaboration in Schools: Team Teaching, Nongradedness, and Multi-Aged Grouping Robert H. Anderson Introduction by Karolyn J. Snyder & Joyce B. Swarzman Approaching Systems Thinking in Schools by Linking Quality and Sustainability: Moving from Theory to Practice Anna Martensson & Kristen M. Snyder Appreciative School Systems: A Path to School Success John Mann Toward the School as a Sustainable Global Learning Center System John Fitzgerald & Elaine C. Sullivan About the Editors and Other Authors
Finally, a book that in a scientific and accurate way addresses system thinking and sustainable development as the education sector's important future challenge. Through the authors' different perspectives, reading becomes both interesting and entertaining. I recommend this book to anyone active in education, and to others interested in these same challenges for society at large. -- Hakan Wiklund, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Mid Sweden University, Sweden
