Are We Ready for Change?

At first glance, one may be hard 

shared by the business world. 

pressed to find any indication 

While drawing direct analogies 

that our schools are really ready

for change from other industries

for transformation. Institutional

may not be a simple task, it may

behaviors lean solidly toward the

certainly be worth exploring the

status quo. There appears to be no 

comparative experiences and 

common language for and about

challenges of transformation in the

change within school systems.

business and education worlds, and

Policy and politics keep would be

creating an atmosphere of shared

leaders focused on delivering day 

learning between the two. 

to day rather than leading into the

No matter how we choose to deal

future. Professional development

with it, the transformation is already

often is treated more as an after 

happening. Those who care about

thought and focuses on meeting

education must choose between

minimum standards. All of these

leading the change or allowing it 

challenges, in some form, are

to render them obsolete.  

Fortunately, BellSouth edu.pwr

3

revealed enough energy and talent

We have a huge task on our hands. It's complex. It's difficult...

to begin the transformation process

but it's do able. So let's be honest about the task and analyze

by asking the hard questions and

what it's going to take to accomplish it. Then it is leadership's

looking for honest, if sometimes 

difficult, answers and insights. 

responsibility to sell that vision.

  Duane Ackerman, Chairman and CEO, BellSouth Corporation

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