Skip to main content

Finding Keys to School Change: A 40-Year Odyssey

  • Chapter
International Handbook of Educational Change

Part of the book series: Kluwer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE,volume 5))

Abstract

I’ve been working at understanding change in schools for more than forty years. Being given a license to reflect on my intellectual adventures in the study of school change — in public — is a delightful and faintly alarming charge. I need to avoid sheer narcissism on the one hand, and detached encyclopedic syntheses on the other. And not succumb to the old codger’s temptation to claim pioneering knowledge that has been ignored by recent young upstarts! These risks bring a certain frisson to the enterprise.

This article was adapted with additions from Miles (1993).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 429.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Anderson, B., Odden, A., Farrar, E., Fuhrman, S., Davis, A., Huddle, E., Armstrong, J., & Flakus-Mosqueda, P. (1987). State strategies to support local school improvement. Knowledge: Creation, Diffusion, Utilization, 9 (1), 42–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benne, K. D. (1952). Theory of cooperative planning. Teachers College Record, 53, 429–435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berman, P. (1981). Educational change: An implementation paradigm. In R. Lehming & M. Kane (Eds.), Improving schools: Using what we know (pp. 253–286). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berman, P., & McLaughlin, M. W (1977). Federal programs supporting educational change. Vol. VIII: Implementing and sustaining innovations. Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borko, H., & Putnam, R. (1995). Expanding a teacher’s knowledge base: A cognitive psychological perspective on professional development. In T. R. Guskey & A. M. Huberman (Eds.), Professional development in education. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Champagne, A. B., Klopfer, L. E., Desena, A. T., & Squires, D. A. (1981). Structural representations of students’ knowledge before and after science instruction. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 18 (2), 97–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, D. K. (1988). Teaching practice: Plus ça change. East Lansing, MI: Teacher Education Resource Center. Michigan State University. Issue Paper 88–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, D. K. (1995). What is the system in systemic reform? Educational Researcher, 24 (9), 11–17, 31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corcoran, T., & Goertz, M. (1995). Instructional capacity and high performance schools. Educational Researcher, 24 (9), 27–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crandall, D.P., & associates. (1982). People, policies and practices: Examining the chain of school improvement. Ten volumes. Andover, MA: The Network, Inc., 1982. Contract #OE30–78-0527, U.S.Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalin, P. with Rolf, H.-G., & Kleekamp, B. (1993). Changing the school culture. London and New York: Cassell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalin, P., Ayano, T., Biazen, A., Jahan, M., Miles, M. B., & Rojas, C. (1992). How schools improve: International report. Oslo, Norway: IMTEC.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J. L. (1987). The puzzle of structural change. Paper prepared for the Symposium on Structural Change in Secondary Education. Madison, WI: National Center on Effective Secondary Schools.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J. L., & Shields, P. M. (1991). From effective schools to restructuring: A literature review. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmore, R. F. (1979–80). Backward mapping: Implementation, research and policy decisions. Political Sciences Quarterly, 94, 601–616.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elmore, R.F., & associates. (1990). Restructuring schools: The next generation of educational reform. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmore, R. F. (1995). Getting to scale with good educational practice. Cambridge: Harvard University, Consortium for Policy Research in Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farah, I., Mehmood, T., Amna, J. R., Ashams, F., Iqbal, P., Khanam, S., Shah, Z., & Gul-Mastoi, N., with the collaboration of Miles, M.B., Hunte, P., & Chesterfield, R. (1996). Roads to success: Selfsustaining primary school change in rural Pakistan. Oslo, Norway: IMTEC, and Karachi, Pakistan: Institute for Educational Development, Aga Khan University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fullan, M.G (1982). The meaning of educational change. New York: Teachers College Press, and Toronto: OISE Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fullan, M. G., with Stiegelbauer, S. (1991). The new meaning of educational change. New York: Teachers College Press, and Toronto: OISE Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fullan, M. G., & Miles, M. B. (1992). Getting educational reform right: What works and what doesn’t. Phi Delta Kappan, 73, 745–752.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fullan, M. G., Miles, M. B., & Anderson, S. E. (1988). Strategies for implementing microcomputers in schools: the Ontario case. Toronto: Ministry of Education of Ontario, Canada, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fullan, M. G., Miles, M. B., & Taylor, G. (1980). Organization development in schools: The state of the art. Review of Educational Research, 50 (1), 121–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gage, N. L. (1991). The obviousness of social and educational research results. Educational Researcher, 20 (1), 10–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, B. A., & Miles, M. B. (1981). Whose school is it anyway? Parent-teacher conflict over an innovative school. New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodlad, J. (1984). A place called school: prospects for the future. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, N., Giacquinta, J. B., & Bernstein, M. (1971). Implementing organizational innovations: a sociological analysis of planned educational change. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, G., & Crandall, D. P. (1988). A beginning look at the what and how of restructuring. Andover, MA: Regional Laboratory for Educational Improvement of the Northeast and Islands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havelock, R. G., Guskin, A., Frohman, M., Havelock, M., Hill, M., & Huber, J. (1969). Planning for innovation through dissemination and utilization of knowledge. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, Center for Research on Utilization of Scientific Knowledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havelock, R. G., & Havelock, M. (1973). Training for change agents: a guide to the design of training programs in education and other fields. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, Center for Research on Utilization of Scientific Knowledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havelock, R. G., with Zlotolow, S. (1995). The change agent’s guide, 2nd edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huberman, A. M., & Miles, M. B., with Goldberg, J. A., & Taylor, B. L. (1983). Innovation up close: A field study of 12 sites. In of D. P. Crandall & associates (Eds.), People, policies and practices: Examining the chain of school improvement Vol. IV. Andover, MA: The Network, Inc. ERIC No.ED 240 716.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huberman, A. M., & Miles, M. B. (1984). Innovation up close: How school improvement works. New York: Plenum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Huberman, A. M., & Miles, M. B. (1989). Some procedures for causal analysis of multiple-case data. Qualitative Studies in Education, 2 (1):55–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozol, J. (1991). Savage inequalities: Children in America’s schools. New York: Crown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lake, D. G., & Miles, M. B. (1975). Communication networks in the designing and starting of new schools. Paper read to Symposium on Communication Networks in Education: Their Operation and Influence at the American Educational Research Association meeting.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lampert, M., & Ball, D. (1996). Aligning teacher education with contemporary K-12 reform visions. In L. Darling-Hammond (Ed.), Teaching and America’s future. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, D. U. (1991). Review of Improving the urban high school: What works and why. Educational Studies, 551–554.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, A., Darling-Hammond, L., & Zuckerman, D. (1991). Early lessons in restructuring schools. New York: National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching. Teachers College, Columbia University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, M.A., Yalom, I. D., & Miles, M. B. (1973). Encounter groups: First facts. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louis, K. S., & Miles, M. B. (1990). Improving the urban high school: What works and why. New York: Teachers College Press, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louis, K. S., & Miles, M. B. (1991a). Managing reform: Lessons from urban high schools. School effectiveness and school improvement, 2 (2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Louis, K. S., & Miles, M. B. (1991b). Toward effective urban high schools: The importance of planning and coping. In W.A. Firestone, J. Bliss, & C. Richards (Eds.), Rethinking effective schools (pp. 91–111). Third Rutgers Invitational Symposium on Education. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louis, K. S., Rosenblum, S., & Molitor, J. A., with Chabotar, K. J., Kell, D., & Yin, R. K. (1981). Strategies for knowledge use and school improvement. Washington, DC: National Institute of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • McElvaney, C. T., & Miles, M. B. (1971). Using survey feedback and consultation. In Schmuck, R. A. & Miles, M. B. (Eds.), Organization development in schools (pp. 113–138). Palo Alto: Mayfield Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, M. W. (1990). Rand change agent study revisited. Educational Researcher, 19 (9), 11–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1959). Learning to work in groups. New York: Teachers College Press. (Also printed in Spanish (Aprendizaje del trabajo en grupos, Buenos Aires: Troquel, 1965); in Portuguese (Aprendiza-gem do trabalho em grupos, Sao Paulo; Editora Cultrix, 1968), and in Dutch (Werken met groepen, Alphen aan den Rijn: Samsom Uitgeverij, 1973). Second edition (English), Teachers College Press, 1980, and (Dutch) Samsom, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (Ed.). (1964a). Innovation in education. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1964b). Educational innovation: The nature of the problem. In M. B. Miles (Ed.), Innovation in education (pp. 1–46). New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1964c). On temporary systems. In M. B. Miles (Ed.), Innovation in education (pp. 437–492). New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1964d). The T-group and the classroom. In L. P. Bradford, K. D. Benne, & J. R. Gibb, (Eds.), T-group theory and laboratory method: innovation in re-education (Chap. 17, (pp. 452–476). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1965a). Changes during and following laboratory training: A clinical-experimental study, Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 1 (3), 215–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1965b). Education and innovation: The organization as context. Eleventh Career Development Seminar on Change Perspectives. Auburn, Alabama: Auburn University. In M. G. Abbott & J. T. Lowell (Eds.), Change Perspectives in Educational Administration (pp. 54–72).

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M.B. (1965c). Planned change and organizational health: Figure and ground. In R. O. Carlson, A. Gallagher, M. B. Miles, R. J. Pellegrin, & E. M. Rogers (Eds.), Change processes in the public schools (pp. 11–36). Eugene, Oregon: Center for the Advanced Study of Educational Administration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1969a). On naming the here and now. Menlo Park, CA: Educational Policy Research Center, Stanford Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1969b). The development of innovative climates in educational organizations. Research Note, Educational Policy Research Center, Stanford Research Institute, EPRC 6747–10. Contract OEC-1–7-071013–4274. Also published in Tijdschrift voor Agologie (Journal for the Study of Planned Change), 1972, 1, 16–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1971). Structure and process in the class as a social system. In Process education: its meaning and merit. Proceedings of 1970 ERIE Conference on Process Education. Syracuse: Eastern Regional Institute for Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1974). A matter of linkage: How can innovation research and innovation practice influence each other? In S. V. Temkin & M. V. Brown (Eds.), What does research say about getting innovations into schools: a symposium. Philadelphia: Research for Better Schools. Publication No. OP-305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1978). On networking. Washington: National Institute of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1980a). Innovation from the ground up: Dilemmas of planning and implementing new schools. New York University Education Quarterly, 11 (2), 2–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1980b). Linkage in a new key: The DTA experience. Chicago: Center for New Schools.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1981). Mapping the common properties of schools. In R. Lehming & M. Kane (Eds.), Improving schools: Using what we know (pp. 42–114). Santa Monica, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B. (1993). Forty years of change in schools: Some personal reflections. Educational Administration Quarterly, 29 (2), 213–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., Calder, P. H., Hornstein, H. A., Callahan, D. M. & Schiavo, R. S. (1966). Data feedback and organizational change in a school system. Paper read to American Sociological Association meeting, August. Excerpted in W G. Bennis, K. D. Benne, & R. Chin (Eds.), The planning of change (rev. ed.) (pp. 457–467). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Ekholm, M. (1991, April). Will restructuring stay restructured? Paper presented at AERA Annual Meeting, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., Ekholm, M., & Vandenberghe, R. (1987). Lasting school improvement: Exploring the process of institutionalization. Leuven, Belgium and Amersfoort, the Netherlands: Acco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., Farrar, E., & Neufeld, B. (1983). Review of effective schools programs (Vol 1, 2, 3). Cambridge, MA: Huron Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Haughey, C. F. (1992). The leadership role of the United States Department of Education in creating and supporting a national education dissemination system. Knowledge: Creation, Diffusion, Utilization, 13 (3), 241–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1984). Qualitative data analysis: A sourcebook of new methods. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Kaufman, T. (1985). Directory of Effective Schools Programs. In R. Kyle (Ed.), Reaching for excellence: an effective schools sourcebook. Washington: U.S.Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M.B ., & Khattri, N. (1995). Thinking about restructuring: The maps in our minds. New York: NCREST (National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching).

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Lake, D. G. (1967). Self-renewal in school systems: A strategy for planned change. In G Watson (Ed.), Concepts for social change (pp. 81–88). Washington: National Training Laboratories.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Louis, K. S. (1987). Research on institutionalization: A reflective review. In M. B. Miles, M. Ekholm, & R. Vandenberghe (Eds.), Lasting school improvement: Exploring the process of institutionalization (pp. 25–44). Leuven, Belgium: Acco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Louis, K. S. (1990). Mustering the will and skill for change. Educational Leadership, 47 (8), 57–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., Saxl, E. R., & Lieberman, A. (1988). What skills do educational “change agents” need? An empirical view. Curriculum Inquiry 18 (2), 157–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Schmuck, R. A. (1971). Improving schools through organization development: an overview. In R. A. Schmuck & M. B. Miles (Eds.), Organization development in schools (pp. 1–27). Palo Alto: Mayfield Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., Sullivan, E. W, Gold, B. A., Taylor, B. L., Sieber, S. D, & Wilder, D. E. (1978). Final Report, Designing and starting innovative schools: A field study of social architecture in education). New York: Center for Policy Research, 1978. NIE-G-74–0051. ED 170 828–834.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mintz, J., Solomon, R., & Solomon, S. (Eds.). (1995) Almanac of educational choices:private and public learning alternatives and home schooling. New York: Macmillan Reference Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, J. (1991). Restructuring schools: capturing and assessing the phenomena. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newmann, F. M., & Wehlage, G G (1995). Successful school restructuring: a report to the public and educators by the Center on Organization and Restructuring of Schools. Madison, WI: The Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, L. (1994). Learning their lessons. Education Week, November 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passow, A. H., Miles, M. B., Corey, S. M, & Draper, D. C. (1955). Training curriculum leaders for cooperative research. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Runkel, P. J., Schmuck, R. A., Arends, J. A., & Francisco, R. P. (1978). Transforming the school’s capacity for problem solving. Eugene, OR: Center for Educational Policy and Management, University of Oregon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxl, E. R., Miles, M. B., & Lieberman, A. (1990). Assisting change in education: a training program for school improvement facilitators. Washington: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sashkin, M., & Egermeier, J. (1993). School change models and processes: a review and synthesis of research and practice. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (Programs for the Improvement of Practice).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schachtel, E. (1959). Metamorphosis. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmuck, R. A., & Miles, M. B. (1971). Organization development in schools. Palo Alto: Mayfield Press, 1971. La Jolla, CA: University Associates, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmuck, R. A, & Runkel, P. J. (1985). The handbook of organization development in schools (3rd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, J. (Ed.). (1992). Case methods in teacher education. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, L. M., & Keith, P. M. (1971). The anatomy of educational innovation. New York: Wiley, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. S., & O’Day, J. (1991). Systematic school reform. In S. Fuhrman & B. Malen (Eds.), The politics of curriculum and testing (pp. 233–267). Philadelphia: Falmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B.L. (1978). Mapping new schools: A series of four new-school planning guides. New York: Center for Policy Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Vegt, R., & Knip, H. (1992). Implementing mandated change: the school as change contractor. Curriculum Inquiry, 20 (2), 183–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Velzen, W., Miles, M. B., Ekholm, M., Hameyer, U., & Robin, D. (1985). Making school improvement work: A conceptual guide to practice. Leuven, Belgium and Amersfoort, The Netherlands: Acco, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, G. (Ed.). (1967a). Change in school systems. Washington, DC: National Training Laboratories.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, G. (Ed.). (1967b). Concepts for social change. Washington, DC: National Training Laboratories.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiseman, F. (1968). High school. Cambridge, MA: Zipporah Films.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiseman, F. (1994). High school II. Cambridge, MA Zipporah Films.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wayland, S. R. (1964). Structural features of American education as basic factors in innovation. In M. B. Miles (Ed.), Innovation in education (pp. 587–614). New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Miles, M.B. (1998). Finding Keys to School Change: A 40-Year Odyssey. In: Hargreaves, A., Lieberman, A., Fullan, M., Hopkins, D. (eds) International Handbook of Educational Change. Kluwer International Handbooks of Education, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4944-0_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4944-0_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6074-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4944-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics